Univ.of  Ill.  Library 

52 

2H16 


I 


1 1* 


A 


CONVERSATIONAL  COMMENTARY, 


COMBINING  THE 


QUESTION -BOOK  AND  EXPOSITION. 


DESIGNED  FOR 


BIBLE  CLASSES,  SABBATH  SCHOOLS,  AND  FAMILIES. 


ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES. 

CHAPTERS  I— XIV. 

BY 

WILLIAM  HAGUE. 


In  free  discourse,  new  thoughts  are  struck  out,  and  the  seeds  of  truth  sparkle  and 
blaze,  which  in  calm  and  silent  reading  would  never  have  been  excited.  By  conversa¬ 
tion,  you  both  give  and  receive  this  benefit;  as  flints,  when  put  in  motion,  and  strik* 
iug  against  each  other,  produce  living  fire  on  both  sides. — Da.  Watts,  <  * 


THIRD  EDITION 


NEW  YORK: 

EDWARD  H.  FLETCHER 
1853. 


Entered,  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1851,  by 
EDWARD  H.  FLETCHER, 

tn  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District 
of  New  York. 


fTEBKOTYPED  BY  WILLIAM  J.  BANKS, 
201  WiUiam  street,  N.  Y. 


/  SSi)  </  9 


PREFACE, 


The  success  of  the  two  volumes  entitled  “  A  Guide 
to  Conversation  on  the  New  Testament’’  has  encour¬ 
aged  the  author,  after  considerable  delay,  and  many 
solicitations,  to  proceed  with  the  work.  Its  design  is 
to  combine  in  one  volume  the  advantages  of  a  Commen¬ 
tary  and  Question  Book,  in  the  style  of  conversation 
for  purposes  of  instruction.  The  teacher  who  would 
give  instruction  in  any  department  of  knowledge  so  as 
to  awaken  in  his  scholar  a  spirit  of  inquiry  can  not 
easily  satisfy  himself  with  abrupt  and  insulated  ques¬ 
tions  ;  in  order  to  arouse  the  mind  to  action,  and  bring 
himself  into  sympathy  with  it,  he  must  communicate 
something.  The  remark  which  imparts  knowledge 
quickens  thought,  excites  inquiry,  and  then  conversa- 


iv 


PREFACE. 


tion  proceeds  with  a  natural  and  oasy  flow.  A  large 
proportion  of  the  truths  made  known  by  our  Saviour 
were  uttered  in  the  form  of  familiar  conversations; 
and  the  instructor  who  will  most  closely  imitate  “  the 
Great  Teacher”  in  this  respect,  will  be  likely  to  garner 
the  richest  harvest  of  fruits  from  the  field  of  his  labor. 


A 


CONVERSATIONAL  COMMENTARY 

ON  THE 

ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Lesson  I. — 1-14. 

Introduction — Christ’s  Interviews  with  the  Apostles  after  his  Result 
rection — Commands  them  to  wait  in  Jerusalem  for  the  Coming 
of  the  Holy  Spirit — His  Ascension — The  Address  of  the  Angel*- 
The  Reassembling  of  the  Church. 

In  the  year  33  of  the  Christian  era,  our  blessed  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  forty  days  after  he  had  risen  from  the 
dead,  stood  on  Mount  Olivet,  and  there  commissioned  his 
apostles  to  go  forth  and  promulgate  his  religion  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth.  They  obeyed  his  command,  and  this 
book,  as  its  title  shows,  gives  an  account  of  a  portion  of 
their  doings.  It  is  to  be  regarded,  therefore,  as  a  connect¬ 
ing  link  between  the  gospels  and  the  epistles.  It  is  an 
authentic  church  history,  written  in  the  age  of  the  apostles 
by  one  of  their  companions  and  fellow-laborers. 

1.  To  whom  is  this  book  dedicated?  What  “former 
treatise”  is  addressed  to  the  same  person?  Luke  i.  3. 
This  introduction  points  out  the  author  of  this  history 


6 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  I. 


what  was  his  name  ?  He  was  not  an  apostle ; — what  was 
his  profession?  Col.  iv.  14.  He  has  not  attempted  to 
write  a  complete  history  of  the  early  churches,  but  a  book 
of  memoirs  relating  to  the  first  missionaries  and  founders 
of  the  churches.  Whose  life  and  teachings  vrere  the  subject 
of  the  former  work  ? 

2.  To  what  particular  day  did  the  former  history  reach  ? 
The  event  here  mentioned  took  place  on  Thursday,  the 
fortieth  day  after  the  resurrection; — do  you  remember 
who  were  the  witnesses  of  it  ?  After  the  resurrection  Jesus 
conferred  on  the  apostles  an  extraordinary  and  supernat¬ 
ural  gift; — what  was  it?  John  xx.  22.  What  was  the 
effect  of  that  gift  on  the  minds  of  these  men?  John  xiv.  26. 
We  see,  then,  that  they  were  inspired  men.  By  means  of 
that  gift  many  instructions  could  be  imparted  without  the 
use  of  vocal  sounds.  Before  his  ascension,  in  what  form 
did  Christ  leave  his  instructions  ? 

3.  How  long  did  Christ  remain  on  the  earth  after  his 

resurrection?  Is  there  any  reason  to  think  that  this 
length  of  time  was  regarded  as  a  sacred  period  ?  Deut. 
ix.  9 ;  1  Kings  xix.  8 ;  Mark  i.  13.  What  seems,  from  this 
verse,  to  have  been  the  object  of  our  Saviour  in  remaining 
thus  long  on  the  earth  ?  [Observe  here  that  there  are  re¬ 
corded  nine  separate  appearances  of  Christ  to  his  disciples 
after  his  resurrection:  (1.)  To  Mary  Magdalene  and  “  the 
other  Mary.”  Matt,  xxviii.  1-9.  (2.)  To  the  two  disciples 

on  their  way  to  Emmaus.  Luke  xxiv.  15.  (3.)  To  Peter. 

Luke  xxiv.  34.  (4.)  To  ten  of  the  apostles,  while  Thomas 

was  absent.  John  xx.  19.  (5.)  To  the  eleven  apostles. 

John  xx.  26.  (6.)  To  seven  of  the  apostles  at  the  Sea  of 

Tiberias,  called  by  some  “  the  small  meeting  w  Galilee.” 
John  xxi.  4.  (7.)  To  the  five  hundred  brethren,  or  what  is 
called  by  some  “  the  large  meeting  in  Galilee.”  1  Cor.  xv.  6, 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  I. 


'7 


and  Matt,  xxviii.  7  and  16;  compared  also  with  Matt.  xxvi. 
32,  and  Mark  xvi.  7  (8.)  To  James.  1  Cor.  xv.  7.  (9.) 

On  the  day  of  ascension,  when  the  apostles  were  assembled 
together  at  the  last  interview.  Luke  xxiv  50.]  Were  the 
intervals  between  these  appearances  of  Christ  long  enough 
to  afford  opportunity  for  a  calm  comparison  of  the  facts  ? 
Now  why  are  the  proofs  which  Christ  furnished  of  his 
resurrection  called  “  infallible  ?”  At  these  interviews 
what  were  the  subjects  of  Christ’s  teachings  ?  Can  you 
see  from  this  verse  any  special  reason  why  we  should  prize 
the  writings  of  the  apostles  ?  Can  you  see  why  we  should 
regard  their  practices  as  expressive  of  the  will  of  Christ  ? 

4.  After  the  crucifixion  of  Christ  the  disciples  were 
scattered ; — who  assembled  them  again  ?  Where  did  they 
meet?  Doubtless  it  was  expected  by  the  Jewish  govern¬ 
ment  that  they  would  abandon  that  place  forever.  It  is 
not  unlikely  that  they  wished  to  leave  it ; — why  so  ?  For 
what  were  they  commanded  to  wait  there  ?  What  promise 
had  been  made  to  them  on  that  subject  ?  John  xiv.  16, 17, 
and  xvi.  7.  The  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  the  apostles 
began  their  work  in  that  very  place  has  aided  much  in 
convincing  thousands  of  the  truth  of  Christianity; — can 
you  think  in  what  way  it  has  done  so  ? 

5.  By  whom  had  Christ’s  disciples  been  baptized  before 
they  followed  him  ?  By  whom  had  Christ  himself  been 
baptized  ?  Had  Christ  baptized  any  one  in  water  ?  John 
iv.  2.  But  he  spoke  of  a  baptism  which  he  would  confer, 
superior  in  its  nature  to  any  that  they  had  received ; — 
what  was  that  ?  On  what  sacred  festival  did  this  superior 
baptism  come  ?  That  was  ten  days  after  Christ’s  ascen¬ 
sion.  The  phrase,  “  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost,”  denoted 
a  large  measure  of  the  Spirit’s  influence.  The  idea  which 
the  words  would  convey  to  a  person  who  heard  them  in 


8 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  I. 


that  age  and  country,  might  be  illustrated  by  an  expres¬ 
sion  of  Cyril  of  Jerusalem,  who  wrote  about  1500  years 
ago.  He  says  :  “  As  he  who  is  baptized  in  water  is  encom¬ 
passed  on  every  side,  so  are  they  that  are  wholly  baptized 
by  the  Spirit.”*  Did  John  himself  predict  this  superior 
baptism  ?  Mark  i.  8. 

6.  At  some  meeting  after  the  resurrection  of  Christ 
they  asked  an  interesting  question  of  him ; — what  was  it  ? 
They  expected  that  the  Messiah’s  kingdom  would  come 
with  great  worldly  power.  The  prophecies  respecting 
that  kingdom  had  raised  their  expectations,  but  they  did 
not  understand  them  truly ; — can  you  mention  some  of 
those  predictions  ?  Gen.  xlix.  10 ;  Isa.  xxvii.  6 ;  Dan.  vii.  27. 
The  ideas  of  the  disciples  on  this  subject,  which  they  had 
cherished  from  their  youth,  prevailed  in  the  nation  gen¬ 
erally; — what  effect  had  the  miracles  of  Christ  on  this 
worldly  feeling?  John  vi.  15.  The  crucifixion  of  Christ 
had  crushed  this  hope; — why  did  the  appearance  of  a 
risen  Saviour  revive  it  ? 

7.  What  answer  did  the  Saviour  give  to  this  question  ? 
That  answer  admits  that  the  expectation  of  a  glorious 
kingdom  yet  to  come  was  in  some  sense  just ; — on  what 
one  point  did  it  discourage  inquiry  ?  On  what  ground  is 
inquiry  discouraged?  What  important  distinctions  did 
Moses  inculcate  in  regard  to  this  subject?  Deut.  xxix.  29. 

8.  In  further  answering  their  question,  Christ  makes  a 
special  promise  to  them,  and  lays  out  their  work  for  the 
promotion  of  his  kingdom; — what  is  the  promise?  The 
word  translated  “power”  in  this  sentence  is  not  the  same  as 
the  one  so  rendered  in  verse  7.  That  denotes  jurisdiction  ; 
this  means  energy .  How  was  this  energy  to  be  imparted  ? 
Whence  was  it  to  proceed?  Luke  xxiv.  49.  What  out - 

*  Catechesis  xvii.  sect.  8. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  I. 


9 


ward  effects  wouia  this  energy  produce  ?  Mark  xvi.  17, 18, 
What  inward  effects?  John  xiy.  26.  How  extensive  was 
the  field  of  their  work  ?  Why  were  three  places  particu¬ 
larly  named?  If  they  had  not  been  named,  why  might 
the  disciples  have  been  loth  to  go  to  them  ?  In  what  re¬ 
spect  does  this  commission  differ  from  one  which  Christ 
had  given  before  ?  Matt.  x.  5.  The  apostles  were  not  di¬ 
rected  to  go  through  the  world  as  warriors ; — but  in  what 
character  ?  By  what  means  were  they  to  conquer  ?  Rev. 
xii.  11. 

9.  At  the  moment  of  Christ’s  ascension  how  were  the 
disciples  engaged  ?  How  intense  must  have  been  their  at¬ 
tention  !  If  Jesus  had  suddenly  vanished,  that  would 
have  been  miraculous,  but  a  visible  ascension  was  desir¬ 
able  ; — why  ?  In  what  way  was  he  at  last  hidden  from 
their  sight  ?  That  would  remind  them  of  a  majestic  sight 
witnessed  in  the  days  of  Moses.  How  did  God  then  mani¬ 
fest  his  glory  ?  Ex.  xvi.  10. 

10.  The  disciples,  doubtless,  wished  to  follow  Christ; — 
how  did  they  show  this  ?  After  such  an  event,  and  such 
mental  excitement,  the  shock  to  their  feelings  would  have 
been  dreadful  if  they  had  been  left  to  themselves  ; — who, 
therefore,  were  sent  to  them  ?  What  was  their  appear¬ 
ance  ?  They  are  supposed  to  have  been  the  same  angels 
who  appeared  at  the  sepulcher  in  “shining  garments,” 
and  with  countenances  like  lightning.  Do  you  remember 
what  effect  their  appearance  had  on  the  Roman  guard  ? 

1 1 .  What  question  did  these  angels  ask  ?  The  question 
was  not  designed  to  censure  the  disciples,  but  powerfully 
to  call  their  attention  back  to  their  work  on  earth.  What 
promise  did  the  angels  make  respecting  Christ’s  return  ? 
The  phrase,  “  in  like  manner,”  refers  chiefly  to  the  truth, 
that  Christ’s  person  will  be  made  visible.  Who  shall  then 

1* 


10 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 


see  him  ?  Rev.  i.  7.  For  what  purpose  will  he  come  ?  2 
Tim.  iv.  1.  In  reference  to  that  event,  what  is  our  chief 
duty  ?  Amos  iv.  12.  Is  there  any  duty  to  which  we  ought 
to  attend  betf're  that  one  ? 

12.  How  far  was  Bethany,  the  place  of  ascension,  from 
Jerusalem?  This  phrase  denotes  nearly  a  mile — a  dis¬ 
tance  about  twenty  rods  short  of  a  mile.  This  designation 
did  not  arise  from  divine  command,  but  from  the  “  tradi¬ 
tions  of  the  elders.”  The  people  generally  understood  it 
and  observed  it.  The  Jewish  scribes  taught  that  these 
traditions,  of  which  this  was  one,  were  binding  on  the 
conscience  f—  how  did  our  Saviour  speak  of  them  ?  Matt, 
xv.  3. 

13.  As  soon  as  the  apostles  reached  the  city,  where  did 
they  assemble  ?  The  place  where  the  Lord’s  Supper  was 
instituted  is  described  in  a  similar  way ; — in  what  terms  ? 
Luke  xxii.  12.  By  whom  at  this  time  was  this  place  con¬ 
stantly  occupied  ? 

14.  What  was  their  chief  employment  ?  From  what  has 
been  said,  we  learn  what  they  were  seeking ; — what  was 
it  ?  What  is  said  of  the  spirit  of  prayer  which  they  cher¬ 
ished  ?  In  this  meeting  there  were  others  besides  the  apos¬ 
tles  ; — who  were  they  ?  These  had  stood  by  the  cross  of 
Jesus ; — what  notice  does  John  take  of  them  in  his  gospel? 
John  xix.  25.  In  this  prayer-meeting  at  Jerusalem  only 
one  woman  is  mentioned  by  name ; — who  is  that  ?  This  is 
the  last  time  her  name  is  mentioned  in  the  New  Testament. 
The  time  or  manner  of  her  death  is  not  recorded.  Do  you 
know  what  class  of  persons  worship  her  ?  Is  there  any 
intimation  in  the  Bible  that  she  is  worthy  to  receive  wor¬ 
ship  ?  What  did  our  Lord  teach  respecting  the  proper  ob¬ 
ject  of  worship  ?  Matt.  iv.  10.  What  was  taught  by  an 
angel  direct  from  heaven  on  this  subject  ?  Rev.  xxii.  8,  9. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  L 


11 


Is  Christ  worshiped  in  heaven  ?  Rev.  v.  12.  From  all  this 
we  may  see  by  what  kind  of  worship  on  earth  we  may 
best  prepare  for  heaven; — in  what  does  such  worship 
consist  ? 


CHAPTER  I. 

Lesson  II. — 15-26. 

The  Address  of  Peter  respecting  Judas — The  Disciples*  Prayer — The 

Choice  of  another  Apostle. 

* 

15.  In  this  meeting  of  the  first  Christian  church  how 
many  were  together?  Does  this  number  comprise  the 
whole  body  of  Christians  at  that  time,  or  were  there 
many  others  scattered  abroad  ?  See  1  Cor.  xv.  6. 

16.  The  subject  of  Peter’s  address  on  this  occasion  was 
the  fall  of  Judas,  and  the  necessity  of  supplying  his  place 
in  the  apostleship.  Does  Peter  address  himself  to  the 
apostles  only,  or  to  the  whole  church?  Being  about  to 
quote  a  passage  of  Scripture  from  the  Old  Testament,  he 
speaks  of  the  author  of  it ; — who  was  that  ?  By  whom  was 
it  spoken  ?  What  does  this  verse  prove  respecting  the  in¬ 
spiration  of  the  Old  Testament  ?  Much  of  the  Psalm 
referred  to  here  seems  to  have  described  originally  the 
case  of  David  himself ;  but  then  David  was  a  representa¬ 
tive  of  Christ; — is  Christ,  in  prophecy,  ever  called  by  the 
name  of  David  ?  Isa.  lv.  3,  4. 

18,  19.  These  two  verses  do  not  belong  to  the  address 
of  Peter,  but  form  a  parenthesis,  thrown  in  by  Luke  to 
explain  Peter’s  allusion  to  Judas.  In  the  “  former  treat¬ 
ise,”  or  Gospel  of  Luke,  no  account  had  been  given  to 
Theophilus  of  the  terrible  end  of  Judas,  and  therefore  it 
was  necessary  to  mention  the  fact  in  this  place.  The  thirty 


LIBRARY  —  I 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


12 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  I. 


pieces  of  silver  which  Judas  received  are  here  alluded  to; 
— what  are  they  called?  Judas  did  not  intend  that  his 
money  should  %be  given  to  buy  a  burial-place  for  the  poor ; 
— how  was  this  brought  about  ?  Matt,  xxvii.  4-8.  We  learn 
from  Matthew  that  J udas  hanged  himself ; — what  addition¬ 
al  information  does  Luke  give  us  ?  Was  this  fact  known 
to  few  or  many  ?  How  was  it  commemorated  ? 

20.  The  quotations  of  Peter  are  taken  from  two  Psalms 
of  David  :  lxix.  25,  and  cix.  8 ; — what  was  the  first  quota¬ 
tion  ?  What  was  the  second  ?  How  do  they  apply  to  the 
case  of  Judas?  See  the  fruits  of  sin!  Instead  of  Judas' 
money  being  used  to  buy  land  for  himself,  for  whom  did 
it  buy  land  ? 

21.  From  what  class  of  men  did  Peter  say  that  a  new 
apostle  should  be  chosen  ? 

22.  This  verse  speaks  of  the  first  and  last  days  of  Christ’s 
ministry.  From  what  era  does  Peter  reckon  the  beginning 
of  Christ’s  earthly  ministry  ?  From  what  era  does  he 
reckon  its  close  ?  He  speaks  of  one  essential  qualification 
for  an  apostle  ; — what  was  that  ?  It  is  thought  by  some 
that  the  rank  or  office  of  apostleship  has  been  transmitted 
to  this  day ; — what  does  this  verse  prove  in  regard  to 
that  question  ?  In  the  days  of  Paul  there  were  some  who 
disputed  his  claim  to  the  rank  of  an  apostle ; — how  did 
Paul  prove  that  he  possessed  it  ?  1  Cor.  ix.  1.  If  such  be 
a  necessary  qualification  for  an  apostle,  is  it  proper  for 
any  bishop  in  our  days  to  claim  the  rank  of  an  apostle  ? 

23.  Two  candidates  fbr  the  office  of  an  apostle  were  now 
appointed who  were  they  ? 

24.  How  did  they  ask  counsel  of  God  ?  What  did  they 
say  of  God’s  knowledge  ? 

25.  The  office  to  be  filled  was  that  of  “ministry  and 
apostleship;”  all  apostles  were  ministers; — but  were  all 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


13 


ministers  apostles  ?  How  did  Judas  fall  from  his  apostle- 
ship  ?  To  what  place  did  he  go  ?  Some  have  professed  to 
believe  that,  after  all,  Judas  went  to  heaven; — what  did 
our  Lord  intimate  on  that  point  ?  Matt.  xxvi.  24,  and  John 
xvii.  12. 

26.  By  what  means  did  they  ascertain  the  will  of  God 
in  this  case?  Was  this  an  ancient  mode  of  appealing  to 
God  ?  Josh.  vii.  14,  15 ;  1  Sam.  x.  20,  21 ;  1  Chron.  xxiv. 
5-7.  What  is  said  by  Solomon  on  this  point?  Prov.  xvi. 
83.  A  common  way  of  electing  by  lot  was  to  cast  tickets 
with  the  proper  names  written  on  them  into  an  urn. 
and  then  drawing  them  out.  As  Christ  had  promised  to 
his  apostles  special  guidance,  there  is,  therefore,  reason 
to  believe  that  they  acted  in  this  matter  under  divine 
direction.  Paul  recognized  twelve  apostles  besides  him¬ 
self.  1  Cor.  xv.  5.  On  whom  did  the  choice  fall  ?  In  re¬ 
gard  to  the  decision  of  questions  by  lot  we  are  not  author¬ 
ized  to  imitate  the  apostles  in  this  extraordinary  case; 
— but  in  what  respect  may  we  imitate  their  example  in 
seeking  the  guidance  of  God  ? 


CHAPTER  II. 

Lessojv  I. — 1-21. 

The  Miraculous  Coming  of  the  Holy  Spirit — Its  Effect  on  the  Disci 
pies — On  the  Spectators — The  Discourse  of  Peter. 

1.  The  first  thing  mentioned  in  this  chapter  is  the  day 
of  Pentecost.  This  name  is  of  Greek  origin,  meaning 
fiftieth.  The  feast  of  harvest  bore  this  name  because  it 
began  on  th«  fiftieth  day  after  the  Passover  Sabbath. 
Was  this  mode  of  calculation  a  matter  of  divine  command  ? 


14 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


LeV.  xxiii.  16.  We  learn  from  the  preceding  chapter  that 
after  the  ascension  of  Christ  the  disciples  went  immediately 
to  the  prayer-room.  From  the  Passover  Sabbath  to  the 
ascension  was  a  period  of  forty  days ; — how  long  a  time 
intervened  before  the  day  of  Pentecost  ?  Do  you  see  from 
this  narrative  in  what  manner  this  interval  of  time  was 
chiefly  spent  by  the  disciples  ?  What  leading  feature  dis¬ 
tinguished  this  meeting  of  the  early  church  ?  Why  did 
they  remain  together  in  this  way  instead  of  going  imme¬ 
diately  to  their  work  of  preaching  the  gospel  ?  Acts  i.  4. 

2.  They  were  roused  by  a  startling  sign  of  the  Spirit’s 
presence ; — what  did  it  resemble  ?  Had  Christ  himself 
ever  spoken  of  such  a  symbol  as  this  to  denote  the  power 
of  the  Spirit  ?  John  iii.  8. 

8.  Another  sign  appeared ; — what  was  it ;  The  Hebrews 
were  familiar  with  the  idea  that  fire  is  a  symbol  of  the 
divine  energy.  Any  form  of  fire  would  denote  that ; — but 
what  idea  would  a  tongue  of  fire  suggest  ? 

4.  If  there  were  any  doubt  as  to  what  the  fiery  tongues 
signified,  the  event  that  followed  made  it  clear  to  all ; — 
how?  We  read  in  Gen.  (xi.  1-9)  of  the  confusion  of 
tongues  ;  here  we  read  of  the  gift  of  tongues ; — what  was 
the  design  of  each  of  these  visitations  ? 

5.  As  soon  as  the  gift  of  tongues  was  granted  to  the 
disciples  they  had  occasion  to  use  it.  They  soon  had  an 
audience  gathered  from  all  lands ; — of  whom  was  it  com¬ 
posed  ?  Where  were  they  residing  at  this  period  ?  At  the 
present  day  Jewish  families  are  living  in  all  parts  of  the 
world,  but  they  are  not  now  accustomed  to  visit  Jerusalem 
as  they  did  in  the  age  of  the  apostles ; — why  not  ?  It  is 
easy  to  answer  this  question  when  you  consider  the  present 
state  of  Jerusalem; — by  whom  was  this  predicted?  Luke 
xxi.  20,  21 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  LI. 


15 


6.  To  hear  unlearned  men  speaking  in  various  languages 
was  a  strange  event.  The  news  fiew  abroad ; — what  was 
the  effect  ? 

7.  How  did  the  multitude  express  their  wonder  ? 

8.  The  miracle  was  proved  to  be  real  and  not  imaginary. 
In  what  respect  were  these  people  competent  judges  ? 

9-11.  The  historian  mentions  the  names  of  the  various 
countries  from  which  the  multitude  had  come.  [It  would 
be  well  to  observe  their  positions  by  means  of  a  nmp.] 
On  what  subjects  did  the  disciples  speak  in  these  languages  ? 

12.  The  multitude  all  acknowledged  the  fact,  but  did  not 
know  how  to  explain  it ; — what  question  did  they  ask  ? 

18.  Some,  however,  who  were  not  wiser  than  the  rest, 
pretended  to  explain  it ; — what  did  they  say  ?  Perhaps 
these  were  residents  of  Jerusalem,  who  did  not  understand 
the  foreign  languages  that  were  spoken,  and  would  not 
take  the  trouble  to  ascertain  the  truth.  Why  are  persons 
of  this  class  so  positive  in  expressing  hasty  opinions  ?  Prov. 
xxvi.  16. 

14.  When  the  attention  of  the  people  was  thoroughly 
awakened,  who  stood  up  to  answer  their  questions  ?  To 
whom  does  he  particularly  address  himself?  We  have 
already  suggested  the  reason  why  he  should  address  him¬ 
self  to  these  at  first ; — what  wTas  it  ?  What  a  contrast  be¬ 
tween  the  appearance  of  the  speaker  on  this  occasion  and 
on  another  which  had  arisen  seven  weeks  before ; — in  what 
respects  ?  Luke  xxii.  55-60. 

15.  In  denying  the  charge  of  intoxication  what  argu¬ 
ment  did  the  apostle  use?  -“The  third  hour,55  or  nine 
o'clock,  was  the  time  of  morning  prayer.  It  was  the 
custom  of  religious  Jews  to  abstain  from  eating  or  drinking 
until  after  that  hour.  Would  this  fact  strengthen  or 
weaken  the  apostle's  denial  of  their  charge  ; 


16 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


16.  He  accounted  for  the  wonder  by  appealing  to  proph¬ 
ecy  ; — what  prophet  did  he  quote  ?  He  lived  and  prophe¬ 
sied  about  690  years  before  the  coming  of  Christ.  Tim 
prophecy  quoted  by  Peter  is  found  in  Joel  ii.  28-32. 

17.  To  what  period  of  time  does  the  prophecy  refer  ?  In 
order  to  understand  this  phrase  it  may  be  well  to  observe  that 
in  the  early  ages  of  the  world,  when  patriarchs  and  prophets 
looked  forward  to  the  days  of  Christ,  they  used  to  call  them 
4<  the  last  days.”  They  well  understood  that  no  dispensation 
of  religion  is  to  follow  the  Christian  ;  therefore  they  called 
these  “  the  last  days.”  How  does  Paul  explain  the  use  of 
this  phrase  ?  Heb.  i.  1.  Peter  does  not  attribute  the  origin 
of  the  prophecy  to  Joel; — to  whom  does  he  attribute  it? 
Peter  says,  in  another  place,  that  the  old  prophets  them¬ 
selves  did  not  fully  understand  the  nature  of  those  glorious 
things  which  they  spake  of ; — what  did  he  teach  on  this 
point?  1  Pet.  i.  11.  In  old  times  the  prophetic  gifts  of 
the  Spirit  were  granted  only  to  a  few  among  the  Jews;  it 
was  the  will  of  God,  however,  “  in  the  last  days,”  to  extend 
them  to  people  of  all  nations  ; — how  was  this  expressed  ? 
In  old  times  God  made  known  his  will  supernaturally, 
“  by  dreams  and  visions,”  to  a  few  chosen  prophets ;  it 
was  foretold,  however,  that  these  should  become  more 
common ; — how  was  this  expressed  ? 

18.  The  prophecy  of  Joel  was  that  the  gifts  of  the  Spirit 
should  be  granted  to  young  and  old,  to  sons  and  daughters, 
“  to  the  servants  and  the  handmaidens,”  that  is  to  persons 
of  every  class.  In  quoting  the  prophecy,  Peter  shows  that 
God  would  acknowledge  these  as  his  own  people.  To  ex¬ 
press  this,  how  does  he  vary  the  phrase  ? 

19.  Peter  proceeds  to  quote  the  prophecy,  which  now 
sets  forth  in  highly  poetic  language  those  same  great 
calamities  which  our  Lord  warned  his  disciples  of  in  the 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


17 


twenty-fourth  chapter  of  Matthew.  The  passage  refers  to 
those  awful  scenes  connected  with  the  downfall  of  the 
whole  Hebrew  commonwealth.  This  event  would  naturally 
excite  in  the  soul  of  a  Jew  the  same  emotions  as  would 
be  produced  by  great  convulsions  of  nature,  and  it  is  de¬ 
scribed,  therefore,  in  similar  language.  For  an  illustra¬ 
tion  of  this,  see  Amos  viii.  9,  10.  In  the  verse  before  us 
what  images  are  grouped  together  to  denote  great  calami¬ 
ties  ? 

20.  What  images  are  grouped  in  this  verse  ?  In  order 
to  understand  these  allusions,  it  will  be  well  to  study  the 
twenty-fourth  chapter  of  Matthew,  containing  our  Lord’s 
warnings  of  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem.  [See  Vol.  I 
on  the  Gospel  of  Matthew.]  The  time  of  that  event  was 
a  day  of  wrath  and  judgment.  Christ  himself  said  that  it 
should  be  notable  and  extraordinary ; — how  did  he  express 
this?  Matt.  xxiv.  21. 

21.  Amid  these  calamities  who  would  be  saved?  Tno 
followers  of  Christ  were  saved  from  the  destruction  of 
Jerusalem  by  obeying  their  Lord’s  directions.  On  the 
appearance  of  certain  signs  what-  did  he  bid  them  do  ? 
Matt.  xxiv.  16.  Hoes  this  direction  of  Peter  refer  only  to 
temporal  salvation  ?  Rom.  x.  11.  Is  there  any  other  way 
of  salvation  ?  Acts  iv.  12.  The  dying  thief  embraced  this 
way  of  salvation; — how?  Luke  xxiii.  42.  What  was  the 
effect  in  his  case  ?  The  penitent  publican  also  embraced 
it; — how?  Luke  xviii.  13.  From  these  cases  you  may  see 
that  the  way  of  salvation  is  adapted  to  man  universally, 
and  to  all  circumstances.  It  can  be  embraced  by  one  who 
is  in  a  temple,  or  on  a  gibbet ;  on  a  bed  of  sickness,  or  on 
the  wreck  of  a  ship,  or  in  such  a  situation  as  you  are  at 
the  present  moment.  What,  therefore,  is  your  immediate 
duty  if  you  are  not  a  Christian  ?  Heb.  iii.  7,  8.  Wherein 


18 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


consists  the  danger  of  delay  ?  Wherein  consists  the  sin 
of  delay  ?  Wherein  consists  the  folly  of  delay  ?  Where 
lies  your  own  temptation  to  delay  ? 


CHAPTER  II. 

Lesson  II. — 22-47. 

Proof  that  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  the  foretold  Messiah — Effect  of  the 
Discourse — Baptism  of  Three  Thousand  Converts — State  of  the 
Church  in  Jerusalem. 

22.  Does  Peter  address  his  audience  as  Jews  or  Gentiles? 

By  what  name  does  he  call  them  ?  Where  did  that  name 
originate  ?  Gen.  xxxii.  28.  How  does  he  call  for  their  at- 
tion  ?  Our  Lord  was  born  at  Bethlehem ; — why  was  he 
called  Jesus  of  Nazareth?  Luke  iv.  16  What  kind  of 
proofs  were  used  to  establish  Christ’s  mission  ?  Can  you 
mention  some  of  them  ?  These  were  produced  in  public, 
and  were  therefore  well  known ; — how  does  Peter  express 
this  ?  < 

23.  Many  of  the  Jews  expected  that  their  promised 
Messiah  would  prove  his  mission  by  splendid  conquests, 
and  rejected  the  thought  that  he  would  or  could  be  cruci¬ 
fied.  Peter  anticipates  their  objection  on  this  ground  by 
alluding  to  the  plan  of  God  respecting  Christ’s  death ; — 
how  does  he  do  this  ?  It  could  be  proved  from  prophecy 
that  the  death  of  Christ  was  a  part  of  God’s  plan  ; — where 
was  it  foretold  ?  Isa.  liii.  Many  would  be  ready  to  say 
that  if  God’s  plan  were  fulfilled  by  the  crucifixion  of  Christ, 
those  who  were  engaged  in  the  deed  were  guiltless.  But 
the  plans  of  God  never  interfere  with  the  free  agency  of 
man ; — how  does  the  apostle  express  this  ?  On  this  point 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


19 


it  may  be  well  to  observe  that  God  often  fulfills  his  counsel 
by  letting  sinners  have  their  own  way.  He  rules  in  the 
hearts  of  saints,  and  he  overrules  the  acts  of  sinners.  The 
case  of  Joseph,  sold  as  a  slave  in  Egypt,  illustrates  this  ; — 
how?  Gen.  1.  20. 

24.  Peter  now  brings  to  view  the  mam  proof  that  Jesus 
was  the  true  Messiah ; — what  fact  was  that  ?  The  painful 
consequences  of  death,  such  as  the  corruption  of  the  body, 
and  separation  from  those  we  love,  did  not  follow  in  the 
case  of  Christ ; — why  ?  When  Christ  was  put  to  death,  his 
enemies  thought  it  not  possible  for  him  to  fulfill  his  own 
predictions  ; — why  were  they  mistaken  ?  J ohn  x.  18. 

25.  The  apostle  having  spoken  of  the  Messiah’s  resurrec¬ 
tion  as  a  fact,  now  proceeds  to  show  that  it  ought  not  to  be 
thought  incredible,  because  it  had  been  of  old  the  subject 
of  prophecy.  Peter’s  audience  all  believed  that  the  ancient 
prophets  had  spoken  of  the  Messiah ; — in  this  case  what 
prophet  did  the  apostle  quote  ?  The  quotation  is  from  Ps. 
xvi.  8-11.  The  prophet  declares  that  he  was  ever  mindf  ul 
of  the  Messiah,  that  he  always  felt  as  if  in  his  presence ; — 
how  does  he  express  this  ?  How  does  the  Psalmist  express 
his  confidence  of  safety  ? 

26.  The  prophet  here  speaks  in  the  name  of  the  Messiah, 
and  uses  words  appropriate  to  Christ  himself ; — how  does 
he  express  his  joy  at  the  thought  of  a  resurrection  from 
the  dead  ?  Paul  says  that  Christ  “  endured  the  cross  for 
the  joy  that  was  set  before  him.”  Heb.  xii.  2.  Hid  Christ 
before  his  own  death  anticipate  his  resurrection  ?  Matt, 
xvi.  21, 

27.  The  word  translated  “  hell”  in  this  verse  is  Hades, 
and  this  might  have  been  transferred ,  instead  of  being 
translated,  for  in  that  way  the  meaning  would  have  been 
plainer.  Hades  is  the  name  given  to  the  invisible  world, 


20 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


“  the  separate  state  of  the  dead.”  It  is  a  state  both  of 
reward  and  punishment.  In  the  parable  of  the  rich  man 
and  Lazarus,  our  Saviour  speaks  of  the  wealthy  sinner 
and  the  faithful  Abraham  as  being  both  in  Hades,  but  far 
apart  from  each  other;  the  one  in  misery,  the  other  in 
happiness.  The  word  “  Hades,”  therefore,  does  not,  like 
the  word  “  hell,”  denote  merely  a  place  of  misery.  There 
is  another  word  translated  “hell,”  that  is  “gehenna,” 
used  by  our  Saviour  in  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  (Matt, 
v.  29,  etc.),  which  denotes  a  state  of  misery  simply.  But 
this  is  not  the  case  with  “Hades,”  and  the  phrase,  “  Thou 
wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  e  Hades,5  ”  means,  Thou  wilt  not 
leave  me  in  the  state  of  the  dead.  After  the  death  of  the 
Messiah  hoW  long  was  he  in  the  state  of  the  dead  ?  Why 
was  he  called  the  Holy  One  ?  Where  was  his  body  laid  ? 
The  prophecy  declared  that  it  should  remain  in  the  grave 
but  a  short  time  ; — how  was  this  expressed  ? 

28.  These  words  celebrate  the  joy  of  the  crucified  Mes¬ 
siah  in  view  of  the  resurrection ; — to  whom  are  they  ad¬ 
dressed  ?  From  whom  did  the  promise  of  exaltation  come  ? 
Ps.  ii.  7,  and  cx.  1. 

29.  Having  finished  the  quotation  from  prophecy,  of 
whom  does  Peter  proceed  to  speak?  Lest  some  might 
object  to  the  application  of  the  prophecy,  and  say  that 
David  spake  of  himself,  the  apostle  shows  that  it  could  not 
apply  to  him.  In  what  state  was  David  at  the  time  of 
Peter’s  discourse  ? 

30.  Peter  speaks  of  the  inspiration  of  David; — what 
does  he  call  him  ?  On  what  subject  had  David  received  a 
revelation  ?  In  one  of  his  psalms  David  celebrated  this 
promise; — what  did  he  say?  Ps.  lxxxix.  35-37.  This 
promise  was  of  old  the  hope  of  Israel ; — what  did  Paul  say 
of  it?  Rom.  i.  2-4. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


21 


31.  To  what  great  fact  in  Christ’s  history  did  David’s 
prophecy  refer  ?  In  regard  to  the  resurrection  the  proph¬ 
ecy  affirms  two  things — one  of  the  soul,  the  other  of  the 
body  of  the  Messiah ; — what  does  it  say  of  each  ? 

32.  Peter  now  shows  that  the  predictions  of  the  prophets 
and  the  testimony  of  apostles  perfectly  agree ; — in  what 
respect  ?  What  means  of  knowledge  had  the  witnesses  in 
this  case  ?  See  chap.  i.  3,  note. 

33.  Christ’s  resurrection  was  preparatory  to  another 
event; — what  was  that?  With  the  ancients  the  right 
hand  was  the  emblem  of  power ,  and  to  sit  at  the  right 
hand  was  an  emblem  of  dignity.  This  was  in  contrast 
with  the  humiliation  of  Christ  on  the  cross.  Peter  had 
already  shown  that  prophecy  pointed  out  the  descent  of  the 
Spirit  as  a  signal  proof  of  the  reign  of  Christ,  now  he  shows 
that  the  prophecy  and  the  fact  agree  ; — in  what  respect  ? 

34.  He  brings  another  argument  to  show  that  ^he 
prophecy  could  not  refer  to  David; — what  was  it^  He 
quotes  the  110th  Psalm; — what  prophecy  did  that  contain? 
If  David  in  spirit  called  Jesus  Lord,  how  is  he  then  David’s 
son  ? 

35.  The  final  triumph  of  Christ’s  kingdom  is  predicted ; 
— in  what  terms  ?  The  world  is  divided  into  two  classes — 
Christ’s  “foes”  and  friends; — how  shall  we  know  in  which 
class  to  rank  ourselves  ? 

36.  Who  are  meant  by  “  all  the  house  of  Israel  ?”  Of 
what  were  they  guilty  ?  To  what  conclusion  did  this  dis¬ 
course  bring  them  ? 

37.  However  loth  they  might  be  to  admit  this  conclusion, 
the  evidence  of  it  was  clear.  The  truth  was  like  a  sharp 
sword  piercing  the  heart ; — in  what  respect  ?  How  did 
they  show  that  they  were  convinced  by  the  truth  ?  Did 
this  imply  confession  of  sin  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


22 

38.  Wliat  duties  did  Peter  enjoin  on  them  ?  Conviction 
is  one  thing,  repentance  another; — how  do  they  differ? 
Judas  was  convicted; — did  he  truly  repent?  If  a  man 
truly  repent  of  sin  he  will  love  Christ; — how  should  he 
show  this  ?  John  xiv.  15.  What  did  Christ  promise  as  the 
effect  of  this  ?  John  xiv.  16,  17.  What  did  Peter  say  would 
be  the  effect  of  this  ? 

39.  The  Jews  had  cried  out  when  they  crucified  Christ, 
“His  blood  be  on  us,  and  our  children !”  thence  they 
might  infer  that  their  own  curse  would  rest  on  them; 
— how  did  Peter  encourage  them  to  hope  for  its  removal  ? 
Does  this  promise  of  grace  extend  to  us  ?  At  the  time  it 
was  given  heathenism  covered  the  finest  portions  of  the 
earth,  and  but  for  Christ’s  fulfillment  of  this  promise 
heathenism  would  now  prevail  even  here.  Heathens  and 
Jews  were  distinguished  as  those  that  were  “far  off,”  and 
those  that  were  “nigh.”  Eph.  ii.  17.  Those  who  know 
the  true  religion  are,  in  point  of  privilege,  nigh  to  God ; 
— what  is  their  duty  to  the  heathen  ?  Matt,  xxviii.  19. 
Where  the  gospel  is  truly  preached  all  are  called,  but 
what  follows  if  the  call  be  rejected  ?  Heb.  ii.  3. 

40.  Has  Luke  told  us  all  that  Peter  said  at  this  time,  or 
only  the  substance  ?  When  called  to  yield  to  the  claims 
of  Christ,  we  are  in  danger  of  waiting  to  see  how  others 
will  determine,  and  whether  the  great  multitude  will  not 
be  on  the  same  side ; — what  caution  did  the  apostle  give 
on  this  point  ? 

41.  Here  is  a  beautiful  expression  to  denote  the  act  of 
faith ; — what  is  it  ?  How  did  these  converts  profess  their 
faith  ?  What  command  had  Christ  given  in  regard  to  such 
a  public  profession?  Matt,  xxviii.  19.  How  many  were 
on  that  day  added  to  the  church  ?  Whether  they  were  all 
baptized  on  the  same  day  has  been  questioned.  The  nar- 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


23 


rative  is  not  perfectly  clear  on  that  point.  Nevertheless 
this  large  number  could  easily  have  been  baptized  on  the 
day  of  Pentecost,  for  among  the  one  hundred  and  twenty 
disciples  present  there  were,  we  have  every  reason  to  be¬ 
lieve,  those  seventy  preachers  whom  Jesus  had  ordained 
and  sent  forth.  Luke  x.  1.  Moreover,  it  may  be  well  to 
mention  here,  as  a  fact  of  some  importance,  that  in  the 
early  centuries  the  Greek  churches  were  accustomed  to 
baptize  only  once  or  twice  a  year,  that  is,  on  Easter  Day 
and  Pentecost,  and  that  in  the  year  404,  Chrysostom  of 
Constantinople,  with  the  aid  of  his  presbyters  in  that  city, 
immersed  three  thousand  persons.  This  fact  shows  two 
things :  first,  that  such  a  baptism  is  altogether  practicable; 
secondly,  that  the  ancient  Christians  understood  that  im¬ 
mersion  is  the  act  denoted  by  the  word  baptism. 

42.  It  might  be  feared  that  persons  so  suddenly  con¬ 
verted  would  apostatize ; — what  is  said  on  that  point  ? 
Four  things  are  mentioned  to  denote  their  perseverance ; 
— what  are  these  ?  The  first  shows  that  they  aimed  to 
become  intelligent  Christians; — why?  The  second  shows 
that  they  were  united  Christians  ; — why  ?  The  third 
shows  that  their  social  feelings  had  taken  a  new  turn ; — 
why?  The  fourth  shows  that  they  were  devotional 
Christians  ; — why  ? 

43.  Now  there  was  a  great  change  in  the  state  of  public 
feeling ; — in  what  respect  ?  Afterward  what  increased 
this  new  state  of  feeling?  The  apostles  were  endowed 
with  great  powers ; — what  promise  was  thus  fulfilled  ? 
Mark  xvi.  17. 

44.  At  the  feast  of  Pentecost  thousands  of  Jews  were 
assembled  from  different  countries  in  Jerusalem,  and  it 
was  customary  for  those  who  were  from  the  same  country 
to  be  together.  [This  fact  is  alluded  to  in  chap.  vi.  9.] 


24 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  II. 


But  these  converts  were  now  united  by  a  stronger  bond 
than  that  of  country  or  of  kin ; — what  bond  was  that  ? 
They  left  their  old  synagogues ; — with  whom  did  they 
choose  to  associate  ?  A  great  emergency  arose.  They 
were  exposed  to  persecution  from  their  countrymen  who 
were  not  converted,  and  many  would  be  “  cast  out  of  the 
synagogue,55  and  be  liable  to  the  ills  of  poverty; — how 
was  this  emergency  met  ? 

45.  How  did  the  rich  obtain  money  to  divide  among  the 
poor  ?  If  a  similar  emergency  should  now  arise,  true 
Christians  would  meet  it  in  a  similar  manner.  But  in 
ordinary  cases  what  is  the  rule  for  a  Christian  church — to 
live  on  a  common  stock,  or  for  each  to  take  care  of  his 
own  ?  1  Tim.  v.  8.  Yet  toward  the  poor  what  is  our  duty ' 
Gal.  ii.  10. 

46.  The  daily  habits  of  the  new  converts  proved  devo¬ 
tion  ; — how  ?  They  proved  that  true  religion  cultivates 
social  feeling ; — how  ?  They  proved  that  true  religion 
produces  happiness  ; — how  was  this  manifest  ? 

47.  How  did  they  show  their  gratitude  ?  The  rulers 
were  not  converted,  yet  the  storm  of  persecution  was 
lulled ; — in  what  way  ?  After  the  day  of  Pentecost  the 
cause  of  religion  made  constant  progress.  Hid  the  con¬ 
verts  keep  their  religion  a  secret  ?  How  did  they  profess 
it  ?  Are  all  Christians  bound  to  imitate  their  example  ? 
Matt.  x.  32,  33. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  III 


25 


CHAPTER  III. 

Lesson. — 1-26. 

A  great  Miracle — It  is  ascribed  to  the  Power  of  Christ — The  People 

charged  with  the  Guilt  of  his  Crucifixion— Peter’s  Second  Dis¬ 
course. 

1.  At  the  forty-sixth  verse  of  the  last  chapter  what  ia 
said  of  the  daily  habits  of  the  first  Christians  while  resid¬ 
ing  in  J erusalem  ?  Accordingly,  who  are  mentioned  here 
as  observing  this  practice  ?  There  were  regular  times  for 
public  prayer ; — at  what  hour  was  this  ?  The  Jews  made 
twelve  hours  in  each  day,  from  sunrise  to  sunset.  The 
ninth  hour  was  the  middle  one  between  noon  and  sunset. 
At  the  time  of  the  equinox  this  was  three  o’clock  in  the 
afternoon.  This  was  the  time  of  “  evening  prayer.” 
There  was  also  the  morning  and  noon  prayer  hour.  This 
division  was  probably  quite  ancient.  Ps.  lv.  17. 

2.  A  beggar,  lame  from  his  birth,  arrested  their  atten¬ 
tion  ; — why  was  he  there  ?  How  did  he  get  there  ?  There 
was  one  great  gate  of  the  temple,  covered,  as  Josephus 
says,  with  Corinthian  brass,  exceedingly  splendid  ; — what 
was  its  name  ?  In  Eastern  lands  it  is  common  now  for  the 
miserably  poor  to  ask  alms  at  temple  doors;— can  you 
think  of  a  reason  why  such  places  should  be  selected  ? 

3.  This  poor  man  addressed  the  two  apostles  ; — for  what  ? 

4.  They  did  not  turn  their  eyes  away  with  indifference 
or  disgust,  but  fixed  his  attention  on  themselves ; — how  ? 

5.  What  did  the  poor  man  then  expect? 

6.  The  apostles  had  no  money,  but  conferred  that  which 
was  much  better ; — what  was  it  ?  In  whose  name  was 

2 


28 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  III. 


this  gift  conferred  ?  In  whose  name  did  Christ  himself 
work  miracles  ? 

7.  A  great  change  immediately  followed  the  words  of 
Peter ; — what  was  it  ? 

8.  Not  only  was  the  miracle  wrought,  but  none  could 
dispute  it ; — what  were  the  proofs  of  its  reality  ?  What 
was  the  effect  on  the  poor  man’s  heart?  Once  Christ 
healed  ten  lepers ; — how  many  of  them  acted  like  this 
man?  Luke  xvii.  18.  Ingratitude  is  a  great  sin.  We  all 
owe  much  to  Christ; — for  what,  especially,  does  he  de¬ 
serve  our  gratitude  ?  When  this  poor  man  received  the 
command  to  walk,  he  did  not  wait  to  see  if  any  change 
had  been  wrought  in  his  limbs,  but  with  the  will  to  obey 
strength  came ; — what  great  lesson  does  this  teach  us  ? 

9.  Who  were  witnesses  to  this  miracle  ?  Observe,  the 
miracles  of  Christ  and  the  apostles  were  public.  They 
were  performed  before  enemies  as  well  as  friends.  They 
were  wrought  to  establish  a  new  doctrine  in  spite  of  the 
public  prejudice,  and  did  establish  it ; — can  these  things 
be  said  of  false  or  spurious  miracles  ? 

10.  The  multitude  were  competent  witnesses  in  this 
case ; — why  ?  What  were  the  effects  of  the  work  on  their 
minds  ? 

11.  A  great  crowd  collected; — where?  Jesus  once 
preached  a  discourse  on  that  spot ; — what  was  the  effect  ? 
John  x.  31. 

12.  When  Peter  spoke  he  answered  their  thoughts  ; — 
what  questions  did  he  ask  them  ? 

13.  In  beginning  his  address  he  intimates  that  he  was 
not  about  to  preach  a  new  religion ; — how  does  he  do  this  ? 
He  shows  that  they  had  rejected  the  God  whom  they  pro¬ 
fessed  to  serve ; — how  does  he  do  it  ?  He  shows  that  they 
were  greater  sinners  than  the  heathen  governor  by  whoir. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER.  III. 


27 


Jesus  had  been  scourged ; — in  what  way  ?  This  was  faith¬ 
ful  preaching; — in  what  respect  is  it  an  example  for 
preachers  in  our  time  ? 

14.  What  character  does  the  apostle  ascribe  to  Jesus? 
Ilow  had  they  proved  the  enmity  of  their  hearts  against 
him  ?  Whom  had  they  preferred  to  him  ?  They  had 
obeyed  their  priests  and  rulers  rather  than  their  own 
consciences ; — in  what  way  ?  Mark  xv.  11. 

15.  Peter  shows  to  the  Jews  the  enormity  of  their  sin 
in  view  of  the  character  of  Christ; — what  title  does  he 
give  the  Saviour  ?  He  asserts  the  same  great  fact  that  he 
had  dwelt  upon  in  the  preceding  discourse; — what  was 
that  ?  Why  is  this  fact  regarded  as  so  important  ?  1  Cor. 
xv.  14. 

16.  In  this  verse  the  apostle  points  out  the  true  cause 
of  the  miracle.  He  had  disclaimed  all  power  to  work  it 
himself,  and  now  brings  to  view  the  fact  that  he  had  in¬ 
voked  the  name  of  another ; — how  does  he  do  this  ?  In 
performing  the  miracle  what  words  bad  the  apostle  used  ? 
The  words  had  no  power  in  themselves,  but  they  made 
known  whence  the  efficient  power  came ; — from  whom  ? 
What  promise  had  been  given  to  the  apostles  in  regard  to 
this  exercise  of  power  ?  Mark  xvi.  17,  18.  Nevertheless, 
a  promise  is  of  no  avail  to  us  unless  it  be  believed,  that  is, 
received  with  faith.  Unless  it  is  trusted  it  will  not  be  a 
motive  to  action ; — what,  therefore,  did  Peter  say  respect¬ 
ing  the  exercise  of  faith  ? 

17.  In  a  course  of  sin  the  mind  becomes  blinded  by 
passion,  so  that,  at  last,  in  hours  of  reflection  it  is  aston¬ 
ished  to  see  to  what  lengths  it  has  gone.  Such  was  the 
case  with  Peter’s  audience ; — what  did  he  say  to  them  on 
this  point  ?  Observe  here,  that  ignorance  of  one’s  duty  is 
itself  a  sin,  when  the  means  of  knowledge  are  neglected 


28 


ACTS,  CHATTER  III. 


or  abused; — what  did  Christ  himself  say  of  his  hearers  is 
regard  to  this?  Matt.  xiii.  15.  Nevertheless,  sins  of  ig¬ 
norance  do  not  fatally  harden  the  heart  like  willful  sins 
committed  with  the  eyes  open ; — what  did  Paul  teach  on 
this  subject?  Heb.  x.  26. 

18.  Peter  did  not  wish  the  people  to  think  that  his 
Lord  would  not  forgive  them,  therefore  he  taught  them 
that  God  had  overruled  the  evil  they  had  done  for  good ; — 
how  did  he  do  this  ?  The  apostle  shows  in  this  expression 
that  the  prophecies  of  the  Old  Testament  are  to  be  viewed 
and  studied  as  one  grand  system ; — how  does  he  bring  out 
this  idea  ? 

19.  God’s  foreseeing  and  foretelling  the  sins  of  men 
can  not  take  away  their  freedom  or  their  sinfulness ;  hence 
what  two  duties  does  the  apostle  enjoin  on  his  hearers  '• 
The  first  duty  relates  to  the  heart,  the  other  to  the  life, 
yet  they  always  go  together  ; — why  so  ?  The  same  happy 
consequence  is  mentioned  as  following  repentance  that 
was  spoken  of  in  the  preceding  discourse,  chap.  ii.  38 ; — 
what  blessing  is  that  ?  As  a  motive  to  repentance  Peter 
brings  out  the  idea  that  happy  times  were  in  reserve  for 
true  Christians,  in  which  he  wished  his  hearers  to  partici¬ 
pate.  He  calls  these  “  times  of  refreshing.”  He  refers 
to  the  progress  of  Christ’s  kingdom  on  the  earth,  and  its 
consummation  in  heaven.  To  these  he  habitually  looked 
forward  with  joyful  hope.  In  order  to  understand  his 
views  more  fully  see  his  second  epistle  (2  Pet.  iii. 
8-14). 

20.  In  order  to  exhibit  the  blessing  of  being  forgiven, 
the  mind  of  Peter  glances  onward  to  the  ultimate  issue — 
the  final  coming  of  Christ.  Because,  although  forgiveness 
is  a  blessing  to  the  believer  now ,  yet  for  a  man  to  be  “  in 
his  sins”  and  unforgiven  then,  will  be  the  same  as  to  be 


29 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  III. 


lost.  Christ  himself  had  taught  the  same  truth ; — in  what 
manner  ?  Matt.  xxv.  81-33. 

21.  The  apostle  here  meets  an  objection  that  would 
naturally  arise  in  some  minds.  It  was  a  common  belief 
of  the  Jews  before  the  Messiah  came,  that  he  would  abide 
on  the  earth.  See  John  xii.  36.  Peter,  therefore,  asserts 
that  for  the  present  Christ  must  remain  in  heaven ,  not  on 
earth  ; — how  does  he  express  this  ?  The  word  which  is 
here  translated  “receive”  means  retain ; — what  period  is 
spoken  of  as  that  of  Christ’s  final  coming  ?  From  Christ’s 
own  teachings  we  judge  that  “  the  restitution  of  all 
things”  means  the  restoring  of  all  things  to  their  proper 
place,  that  is,  bringing  order  out  of  disorder.  He  teaches 
us  that  now  the  good  and  bad  are  mingled,  the  wise  and 
foolish  virgins  are  together,  the  wheat  and  tares  are  to¬ 
gether,  the  sheep  and  goats  are  together ; — but  at  his  final 
coming  what  change  will  take  place  ?  Matt.  xiii.  40-43, 
and  xxv.  31.  It  said  in  this  verse  that  the  oldest  as  well 
as  the  later  prophets  have  foretold  this  ultimate  issue. 
Jude  refers  us  to  one  of  the  oldest  prophets  speaking  on 
this  subject; — what  did  he  say  ?  Jude  14,  15. 

22.  What  prediction  does  Peter  quote  from  Moses? 
Where  is  it  found  ?  Dcut.  xviii.  18,  19.  Moses  was  par¬ 
ticularly  distinguished  by  uniting  in  himself  the  offices 
of  prophet  and  lawgiver.  In  this,  especially,  Christ  was 
like  him.  What  duty  was  enjoined  in  regard  to  this  great 
prophet  whom  Moses  spoke  of  ? 

23.  What  will  be  the  effect  of  rejecting  this  prophet  ? 
On  this  subject  how  did  Paul  reason  in  his  epistle  to  the 
Hebrews?  Heb.  x.  28,  29. 

24.  Peter  again  draws  the  attention  of  his  hearers  to 
the  chief  subject  of  ancient  prophecy ; — how  does  he  do  it  ? 

25.  The  apastle  now  reminds  his  hearers  of  their  great 


30 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


privileges ; — in  what  respects  ?  Their  advantages  were 
great; — what  was  the  chief  of  all?  Rom.  iii.  2.  When 
the  world  was  sunken  in  idolatry  God  called  Abraham 
from  Chaldea,  directed  his  steps  to  Canaan,  gave  him  the 
promise  that  he  should  be  the  father  of  a  nation,  and  that 
from  him  the  Messiah  should  come  forth  to  be  a  blessing 
to  all  nations.  This  arrangement  is  called  “  a  covenant 
— in  what  terms  was  it  expressed  ?  Gen.  xii.  1-3.  The 
Jews  were  the  children  of  Abraham  by  the  law  of  natural 
descent,  but  they  thought  more  of  this  relation  than  they 
ought  to  have  done ; — why  ?  Matt.  iii.  8,  9.  There  was 
another  way  in  which  they  might  be  reckoned  as  the 
children  of  Abraham,  and  which  they  too  much  despised  ; 
- — what  way  was  that  ?  Rom.  iv.  13. 

26.  Peter  wished  that  his  hearers  might  become  children 
of  Abraham  and  heirs  of  the  covenant  in  this  higher  and 
better  sense ; — how  did  he  show  them  the  way  in  which 
this  might  be  accomplished  ?  Was  the  opportunity  offered 
to  all  or  a  few  ?  The  same  offers  of  grace  are  made  to  us ; 
— will  they  do  us  any  good  unless  we  accept  them  ?  If  we 
reject  them  will  our  condition  be  rendered  worse  on  that 
account?  Matt.  xi.  21,  22.  In  view  of  this  great  subject 
what  is  the  first  and  most  important  duty  of  every  one 
Who  reads  or  hears  the  gospel  ?  2  Cor.  vi.  1,  2. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Lesson  I. — 1-20. 

The  Apostles’  Teaching  interrupted — They  are  carried  before  the 
Rulers — Peter’s  Address  to  them — Perplexity  of  the  Rulers — Their 
Threat — The  Apostles’  Answer. 


1.  The  miracle  of  healing  the  lame  man  at  the  gate 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


31 


of  the  temple  had  drawn  a  crowd  together.  While  the 
apostles  were  preaching  to  these,  who  interrupted  them  ? 
Observe  here,  that  there  was  a  body  of  persons  called  the 
“Temple  Guard.”  Their  business  was  to  protect  the 
property  of  the  temple,  and  to  preserve  order; — what  is 
their  leader  called  in  this  verse  ?  The  Sadducees  are  here 
mentioned  ; — what  was  their  leading  doctrine  ?  Matt, 
xxii.  23. 

2.  We  often  have  occasion  to  notice  that  the  open  oppo¬ 
sition  to  Christ  sprang  not  from  the  people  at  large,  but 
from  the  government ; — how  was  it  in  this  case?  Why 
were  the  Sadducees  particularly  offended  ? 

3.  Jewish  courts  were  held  in  the  morning; — at  what 
time  did  this  interruption  of  the  apostles  take  place  ? 
What  was  done  with  them  ? 

4.  Nevertheless  Peter’s  sermon  was  not  lost; — why? 
What  number  of  men  had  been  converted  up  to  this  time  p 

5.  This  verse  mentions  the  classes  of  persons  who  com¬ 
posed  the  Sanhedrim,  or  high  court  of  the  Jews; — who 
were  they  ? 

6.  The  highest  officers  were  present; — who  are  here 
mentioned  ?  Of  these,  who  presided  at  the  trial  of  Jesus  ? 
John  xi.  49.  Would  the  apostles  expect  impartial  judgment 
at  this  tribunal  ? 

7.  It  was  a  common  belief  at  that  time  that  many  things 
of  a  miraculous  kind  could  be  done  by  magic.  Very  often 
the  jugglers,  sorcerers,  or  magicians,  would  invoke  the 
name  of  an  angel,  or  of  Abraham,  or  of  Solomon.  The 
wonderful  healing  of  the  lame  man  could  not  be  denied ; 
and  now  the  high  priests  wish  to  put  the  apostles  on  a 
level  with  their  own  sorcerers.  They  did  not  say  this 
openly,  but  intimated  it  by  a  question  ; — in  what  way  ? 

8.  Who  spoke  in  behalf  of  the  apostles  ?  Who  prompted 


32 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


him  to  speak  ?  His  manner  of  address  was  respectful ; — 
how  did  this  appear  ? 

9.  He  would  not  allow  what  had  been  done  to  be  treated 
as  a  crime  ; — what  did  he  call  it  ? 

10.  He  did  not  wish  any  thing  concealed ; — whom  did 
he  wish  to  know  it?  To  whom  did  he  attribute  the 
glory  of  the  miracle  ?  In  referring  to  Jesus,  he  did 
not  speak  of  him  as  belonging  to  Bethlehem  or  Jerusa¬ 
lem  ; — what  place  did  he  mention  ?  With  what  feelings 
did  the  Jews  regard  that  place?  John  i.  46.  What  crime 
did  Peter  charge  upon  the  rulers  ?  Two  facts  were  men¬ 
tioned  to  prove  the  claims  of  Jesus  as  the  Messiah; — 
what  was  the  first  ?  What  was  the  second  ?  The  first  fact 
Paul  quoted  for  the  same  purpose  ? — what  did  he  say  ? 
Rom.  i.  4.  Facts  like  the  second  had  been  predicted  by 
Isaiah  long  before,  as  proofs  of  the  Messiah; — in  what 
way  ?  Isa.  xxxv.  6. 

11.  In  Psalm  cxviii.  22,  is  a  remarkable  saying,  with 
which  the  rulers  were  quite  familiar.  Peter  quoted  it, 
and  applied  it  to  them ; — what  was  it  ?  This  very  pas¬ 
sage  our  Lord  had  applied  in  a  similar  way; — on  what 
occasion  ?  Matt.  xxi.  42.  The  church  of  God  is  often 
compared  to  a  building;  the  Jewish  priests  and  rab¬ 
bis  thought  that  they  were  the  appointed  builders.  In 
this  verse,  however,  Peter  shows  that  they  were  not,  for 
they  were  not  qualified  to  select  \he  material  adapted  to 
the  structure.  Seven  centuries  before  this  time  Isaiah 
had  prophesied  of  Christ  as  the  true  foundation-stone  of 
the  spiritual  temple ; — what  had  he  said  ?  Isa.  xxviii.  16. 
Many  years  after  this  discourse,  Peter  spoke  of  this  sub¬ 
ject  in  one  of  his  letters ; — what  did  he  say  ?  1  Pet.  ii.  6. 

12.  Peter  not  only  shows  that  Christ  is  the  true  founda¬ 
tion,  but  he  shows  the  necessity  of  every  one’s  building 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


33 


the  fabric  of  his  hopes  on  this  foundation ; — how  does  he 
do  this  ?  There  are  those  who  have  said  that  the  Chris¬ 
tian  religion  is  good  for  some,  but  that  another  religion 
may  be  better  for  others ; — did  the  teaching  of  Peter  agree 
with  this  view,  or  differ  from  it  ?  After  Christianity  be¬ 
came  known  abroad,  some  of  the  learned  Romans  wished 
to  rank  Jesus  ajnong  the  pagan  gods,  and  pay  him  divine 
honors  ; — would  the  apostles  have  been  pleased  with  that  ? 
We  see  from  the  preaching  of  the  apostles  that  Christian¬ 
ity  is  a  liberal  system  of  religion,  because  it  offers  a  free 
salvation  to  all,  even  the  greatest  sinners ;  but  this  verse 
proves  it  to  be  also  an  exclusive  religion ; — in  what  re¬ 
spect  ? 

13.  One  thing  astonished  the  Jewish  court; — what  was 
that  ?  The  word  translated  ignorant  in  this  verse  means 
private  men,  that  is,  they  did  not  belong  to  any  of  the 
learned  professions— they  were  not  scribes  or  lawyers. 
What  conclusion  did  the  court  come  to  about  them  ? 
What  promise  of  Christ  was  now  fulfilled  ?  Luke  xxi.  15. 

14.  The  court  wished  to  condemn  the  apostles  as  false 
teachers  or  impostors  ; — what  prevented  them  ?  The  poor 
man  who  had  been  a  cripple  and  had  been  healed  appears 
to  have  felt  gratitude  toward  the  apostles ; — how  did  he 
show  this  ? 

15.  The  court  being  in  a  dilemma,  what  did  they  do  at 
first  to  the  apostles  ?  What  followed  among  themselves  ? 

16.  What  question  was  discussed?  What  confession  did 
they  make  ?  Why  do  you  suppose  that  this  court  did  not 
condemn  the  apostles  to  death,  as  it  had  their  master? 

17.  The  court  resolved  to  conceal  what  they  knew  from 
the  people; — how?  This  proved  that  their  cause  was  a 
weak  one; — why? 

18.  How  did  the  court  carry  its  resolution  into  effect? 

2* 


84 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


19.  The  Jewish  Court,  like  the  Spanish  Inquisition,  was 
accustomed  to  see  its  prisoners  terrified  by  its  threats. 
But  the  apostles  were  not  intimidated  ; — what  appeal  did 
they  make  ?  They  declared  the  great  principle  on  which 
they  acted ; — what  was  it  ? 

20.  This  principle  always  fills  the  soul  with  courage ; — 
what  effect  did  the  apostles  say  it  had  on  them  ?  The 
prophet  Jeremiah  once  felt  the  same  effect  of  the  same 
principle  ; — how  did  he  express  it  ?  Jer.  xx.  9.  If  we  have 
love  to 'Christ  it  will  act  on  us  in  the  same  way — it  will 
make  us  bold  and  fearless  What  was  Paul’s  experience 
on  this  point  ?  2  Cor.  v.  14  If  we  feel  convinced  that  we 
are  indebted  to  Christ  for  eternal  salvation,  we  should 
show  our  gratitude  by  obedience  and  by  zeal  in  his  service. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Lesson  II. — 21-37. 

'Plie  Apostles  Dismissed— Their  Prayer— The  Answer  to  their  Prayer 

— Their  Love  and  Disinterestedness 

21.  The  apostles’  appeal  was  not  answered  by  argu¬ 
ment  ; — by  what  then  ?  The  court  would  have  been  glad 
to  have  punished  them ; — why  did  they  not  do  it  ?  The 
people  saw  God’s  hand  in  the  miracle; — what  was  the 
effect  on  them  ? 

22.  One  thing  made  the  people  sure  that  the  miracle 
was  genuine  ; — what  was  that  ? 

23.  When  the  apostles  were  dismissed,  to  whom  did  they 
go  ?  AVhat  was  the  subject  of  their  conversation  ?  How 
often  did  this  company  meet  ?  Acts  ii.  46. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


35 


24.  This  was  a  joyful  meeting,  and  united  in  joyful 
worship.  To  whom  did  the  disciples  address  themselves  ? 
Did  they  begin  their  worship  with  praise  or  prayer  ?■  In 
addressing  God  it  has  a  good  effect  on  our  minds  to  men¬ 
tion  his  names  and  perfections ; — what  perfection  of  God 
did  they  here  celebrate  ? 

25.  It  has  also  a  good  effect  upon  the  mind  to  dwell  upon 
the  truths  of  his  word.  What  psalm  did  they  quote  ?  Does 
this  verse  show  that  the  psalm  was  divinely  inspired  ? 

26.  The  psalm  was  prophetic.  It  foretold  that  the  gov¬ 
ernments  of  the  earth  would  oppose  Christ.  How  is  this 
expressed  ?  In  the  psalm  itself,  which  was  composed  in 
Hebrew,  the  word  here  rendered  Christ  is  Messiah.  The 
Hebrew  word  Messiah  and  the  Greek  word  Christ  have 
the  same  sense,  meaning, <e  the  anointed  one.”  This  desig¬ 
nation  of  our  Saviour  arose  from  the  fact  that  prophets, 
priests,  and  kings  were  inaugurated  into  office  by  being 
anointed  with  sacred  oil.  We  have  already  seen  (chap.  iii. 
22)  that  Jesus  was  foretold  as  the  great  prophet  of  Israel. 
Was  he  also  foretold  as  a  priest  and  king  ?  Ps.  cx.  4. 

27.  In  their  act  of  worship  the  disciples  say  that  the 
prophecy  respecting  Jesus  had  been  fulfilled how  did 
they  express  this  ? 

28.  The  heathen  were  wont  to  say  that  the  ignominious 
death  of  Jesus  proved  that  he  was  not  the  Son  of  God,  or 
that,  if  he  were,  the  God  of  the  Christians  had  not  power 
or  wisdom  to  protect  him.  The  disciples,  however,  rejoiced 
to  think  that  the  wrath  of  man  would  be  made  to  subserve 
the  designs  of  God  ; — how  does  this  appear  ?  The  enemies 
of  God  are  free  agents ,  and  act  from  choice,  but  there  is 
a  limit  to  their  power ; — wh$-  ?  Dan.  iv.  35. 

29.  The  voice  of  praise  is  followed  by  that  of  prayer; — 
what  was  the  first  request  of  the  disciples  ?  Thus  they 


36 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


spread  their  complaint  before  the  Lord,  just  as  Hezekiah 
spread  the  blasphemous  letter  of  the  king  of  Assyria  before 
the  mercy  seat.  Isa.  xxxyii.  14.  Now  observe,  the  disci¬ 
ples  did  not  pray  that  they  might  be  free  from  all  trouble, 
and  have  an  easy  life; — what  quality  of  character  did  they 
seek  ? 

30.  What  special  favors  did  they  pray  for  ?  Remember 
that  a  special  promise  had  been  given  them  respecting 
these  things,  and  now  they  pray  that  it  may  be  fulfilled. 
What  promise  was  that  ?  Mark  xvi.  17,  18.  Remember, 
too,  that  they  had  already  been  assured  of  the  fulfillment 
of  this  promise  by  the  miraculous  healing  of  the  cripple 
at  the  gate  of  the  temple.  Why  did  they  wish  such  favors 
to  be  repeated  ? 

31.  A  new  sign  was  immediately  given  to  show  that 
their  prayer  was  heard.  It  was  an  external  and  miracu¬ 
lous  sign ; — what  was  it  ?  The  same  blessing  which  fol¬ 
lowed  their  prayers  on  the  day  of  Pentecost  was  repeated ; 
— what  was  it  ?  That  was  a  great  gift ; — what  effect  did 
it  produce  on  them  ?  That  gift  was  granted  in  answer  to 
prayer ; — what  ancient  promise  was  given  to  all  earnest 
seekers  on  this  point?  Isa.  xl.  31.  Paul  desired  that  his 
Christian  brethren  would  pray  that  he  might  enjoy  tho 
same  blessing ; — how  did  he  express  it  ?  Eph  vi.  18,  19. 

32.  There  was  now  a  multitude  of  disciples ; — how  many  ? 
See  verse  4.  There  was  no  discord ; — how  were  they 
united  ?  One  great  test  of  character  is  the  use  which  men 
make  of  worldly  property ; — how  did  these  Christians  use 
theirs  ?  What  lesson  had  Christ  taught  on  this  subject  ? 
Matt.  xix.  29.  Paul  directed  Timothy  to  enjoin  the  culti¬ 
vation  of  the  same  spirit  whiclj  these  first  Christians  ex¬ 
hibited  ; — how  did  he  express  it?  1  Tim.  vi.  18. 

83.  What  was  the  great  subject  of  the  apostles’  preaching 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IV. 


37 


at  this  time  ?  This  one  great  fact  employed  their  thoughts ; 
— if  all  men  heartily  believed  this  fact,  what  effect  do  you 
suppose  would  naturally  follow?  What  is  said  of  the 
character  of  the  apostles’  preaching?  Every  body  saw 
that  a  remarkable  degree  of  divine  influence  rested  on 
these  men ; — how  is  this  expressed  ? 

34,  35.  Among  this  multitude  there  were  rich  and  poor; 
— did  any  of  the  poor  suffer  from  want?  The  rich  met 
the  emergency  by  turning  their  lands  into  money ; — how 
did  they  do  this  ?  Under  whose  direction  was  the  distri¬ 
bution  made  ?  We  see  that  there  was  no  joint  stock  of 
property,  like  that  advocated  by  the  Communists,  in  which 
each  one  claims  a  share,  but  a  free  contribution  as  far  as 
was  necessary  to  relieve  the  wants  of  the  distressed.  Was 
this  distribution  ordained  by  any  law  of  the  church,  or 
was  it  entirely  voluntary  ? 

36,  37.  There  was  among  these  converts  a  rich  foreigner, 
who  had  property  in  one  of  the  islands  of  the  Mediterranean 
Sea ; — what  was  his  name  ?  One  of  his  names  expressed 
his  character what  was  that?  This  man  became  a 
Christian  preacher; — what  did  he  do  with  the  property 
which  he  had  left  at  home  ?  He  afterward  traveled  much 
with  Paul,  and  was  the  first  missionary  sent  forth  by  a 
Christian  church  to  the  heathen.  How  do  we  know  this 
fact?  Acts  xi.  22.  He  did  not  preach  for  the  sake  of  money, 
but  gave  up  money  for  the  sake  of  preaching ; — are  any  in 
this  age  bound  to  imitate  his  example  ?  Some  time  ago  the 
example  of  Barnabas  was  imitated  in  a  remarkable  manner 
by  Adoniram  Judson,  a  missionary  to  Burmah,  who,  when 
he  received  ten  thousand  dollars  for  services  rendered  to 
the  British  government,  “  laid  it  down  at  the  feet”  of  the 
Missionary  Board.  From  this  voluntary  act,  what  should 
we  infer  respecting  his  idea  of  the  right  use  of  money  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  V. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Lesson  I. — 1-23. 

The  Wilful  Lie  of  Ananias  and  Sapphira — Their  Death — Miraculous 

Power  of  the  Apostles — New  Persecution — Deliverance. 

1,  2.  The  last  chapter  closes  with  an  example  of  sincere 
benevolence.  Here  we  have  an  example  quite  in  contrast 
with  that.  Two  persons  wished  to  obtain  the  credit  of 
benevolence  without  having  it.  What  were  their  names  ? 
We  know  nothing  of  them  except  their  sin  and  its  pun¬ 
ishment.  What  did  this  man  do  with  his  property  ?  It  is 
implied  that  he  made  a  false  representation  of  the  case ; — 
in  what  respect  ?  What  share  had  his  wife  in  the  transac¬ 
tion  ?  They  desired  the  praise  of  being  liberal,  and  prob¬ 
ably  intended  to  draw  alms  from  the  church-treasury,  as 
if  they  had  become  poor. 

3.  Peter  immediately  put  a  startling  question  to  Anani¬ 
as  ; — what  was  it  ?  Who  tempted  Ananias  to  speak  false¬ 
ly  ?  There  is  no  sin  in  being  tempted,  but  only  in  yielding 
to  temptation.  Evil  men  often  tempt  us,  and  so  do  evil 
spirits  ;  but  if  we  yield  to  them  the  guilt  is  our  own.  The 
children  of  God  are  led  by  God’s  Spirit; — what  does 
Christ  say  of  those  who  practice  falsehood  ?  John  viii.  44. 
Ananias  had  professed  to  believe  with  the  rest  that  the 
apostles  were  guided  by  the  Holy*  Ghost ; — what  peculiar 
daring  or  presumption  is  therefore  attributed  to  him  ? 

4.  Peter  argues  the  case  with  him ; — whose  was  the  land 
while  it  remained  unsold  ?  Was  Ananias  required  to  sell 
it  ?  After  he  had  sold  it  was  he  required  to  give  it  away 
if  he  did  not  wish  to  do  so  ?  He  professed  to  be  free  in 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  V. 


39 


giving  the  whole  to  the  cause  of  God ; — what  was  the  pe¬ 
culiar  character  of  his  sin  ?  All  falsehood  is  sin;  but  this 
sin  was  aggravated ; — why  ? 

5.  What  judgment  immediately  fell  on  Ananias  ?  Ob¬ 
serve  the  phrase  used  in  Scripture  to  express  death.  It 
marks  the  distinction  between  body  and  spirit ; — in  what 
way  ?  The  phrase  occurs  in  the  Old  Testament.  Gen.  xlix. 
33.  It  was  a  common  phrase  among  the  Jews  in  the  ear¬ 
liest  times,  and  indicates  the  common  belief  that  the  soul 
existed  in  a  state  of  separation  from  the  body.  What  was 
the  effect  of  this  judgment  on  the  people  generally  ?  This 
remarkable  event,  which  occurred  at  the  opening  of  the 
Christian  dispensation,  is  like  one  which  occurred  at  the 
opening  of  the  Mosaic  dispensation ; — what  event  was  that  ? 
Lev.  x.  1,2.  This  is  not  God’s  ordinary  way  of  punish¬ 
ing  sin ; — can  you  think  of  any  reason  why  it  was  espe¬ 
cially  necessary  in  these  cases  ? 

6.  What  was  immediately  done  with  the  corpse  of  An¬ 
anias  ? 

7.  During  this  time  the  wife  of  Ananias  was  absent; — 
how  long  was  it  before  she  came  in  ?  Had  she  known  the 
fate  of  her  husband,  fear  might  have  prevented  her  giving 
such  answers  as  she  did  to  the  questions  addressed  to  her. 
Peter  wished  to  see  if  she  would  repeat  Ananias’  false¬ 
hood. 

8.  By  what  question  did  Peter  try  her  ?  How  did  she 
show  that  she  was  a  partaker  of  her  husband’s  sin  ? 

9.  What  did  Peter  call  the  crime  that  she  had  conspired 
with  her  husband  to  commit?  The  word  “  tempt”  means 
not  only  to  entice  to  sin,  but  also  to  try,  or  ‘‘put  to  the 
test.”  In  contriving  their  falsehood  Ananias  and  Sapphira 
acted  just  as  if  they  wished  to  put  the  Hoiy  Spirit  “  to  the 
test,”  to  see  whether  he  could  detect  their  sin  or  not 


40 


ACTS.  CHAPTER  V. 


Whenever  men  sin  presumptuously  they  seem  to  have  a 
doubt  whether  God  notices  them  or  not.  How  did  Peter 
announce  Sappliira’s  doom  ? 

10  What  event  followed  ?  Notice,  the  same  mode  of 
expressing  death  mentioned  above  occurs  again.  It  de¬ 
notes  that  the  spirit  left  the  body.  When  infidels,  who  do 
not  believe  in  a  future  state  of  being,  wish  to  express  the 
fact  that  a  man  has  died,  they  usually  say,  “  He  is  no 
more.”  Hid  our  Saviour  distinctly  teach  the  existence  of 
the  spirit  in  a  state  separate  from  the  body  ?  Luke  xvi.  22, 
23,  and  xxiii.  43. 

11.  What  Was  the  effect  produced  by  the  fate  of  these 
two  persons  on  the  minds  of  the  people  ?  If  nothing  of 
this  kind  had  taken  place,  the  church  at  Jerusalem  would 
have  been  peculiarly  liable  to  receive  many  who  were 
under  the  influence  of  mercenary  motives ; — how  does  this 
appear  from  the  facts  already  stated  ? 

12.  The  apostles  were  endowed  with  wonderful  powers  ; 
— how  was  this  shown  ?  The  church  at  Jerusalem  had 
now  become  very  large,  and  a  private  room  would  not 
contain  them ; — where  did  they  meet  as  one  body  ? 

-  13.  It  might  be  supposed  that  the  captain  of  the  temple, 
the  officers,  priests,  and  rulers  would  have  driven  the 
church  away  from  the  porch  of  the  temple ; — what  pre¬ 
vented  them  from  doing  so  ?  From  the  early  history  of 
the  church  it  appears  that  the  chief  opposition  against  the 
cause  of  Christ  arose  from  the  government  rather  than 
from  the  people  ; — how  is  that  distinction  noticed  in  this 
verse  ?  Paul  enjoins  it  as  a  duty  on  Christians  to  pray 
for  the  governments  of  the  earth; — what  should  we  ask 
for  them  ?  1  Tim.  ii.  2. 

14.  Although  unbelievers  stood  in  awe  of  the  Christian 
church.,  and  none  dared  to  interfere  with  them,  or  join 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  V. 


41 


them  through  selfish  motives,  did  the  church  decline  as  to 
numbers  ?  Some  dread  the  effects  of  discipline  which  cuts 
off  unworthy  members  from  a  church ; — what  was  the 
effect  in  this  case  ? 

15.  Facts  are  mentioned  which  show  the  great  influence 
which  the  apostles  had  with  the  people ; — what  facts  are 
these  ?  Were  they  miraculous  ?  What  promise  of  Christ 
was  fulfilled  ?  Mark  xvi.  18.  There  was  no  virtue  in  the 
shadow  of  Peter,  but  those  who  could  not  get  near  him 
thus  testified  their  faith  in  the  power  of  God  exerted 
through  him.  In  such  cases  as  these,  according  to  what 
rule  was  healing  generally  granted  ?  Matt.  ix.  29.  If  any 
had  looked  for  healing  from  a  superstitious  trust  in  Peter, 
as  being  more  than  man,  or  without  anjr  belief  in  Christ, 
would  they  have  been  likely  to  obtain  it  ? 

16.  There  was  a  great  popular  excitement  throughout 
the  surrounding  country ; — on  what  account  ?  Two  classes 
of  afflicted  persons  are  here  mentioned ; — who  were  they  ? 
What  degree  of  success  accompanied  the  applications  of 
these  people  for  help  ? 

17.  There  was  a  great  excitement  of  another  kind  in 
J  erusalem ; — among  whom  ?  What  passion  was  excited  ? 

18.  This  excitement  led  to  an  act  of  violence; — what 
was  it  ? 

19.  Christ  had  promised  to  be  with  his  disciples  in  times 
of  distress  ; — how  did  he  help  them  on  this  occasion  ? 

20.  The  bolts  fly  back — the  doors  are  opened; — what 
command  was  given  to  the  apostles?  The  phrase  used 
here  to  denote  the  gospel  is  very  significant ;  it  is  like  a 
phrase  which  Peter  once  used  himself  in  speaking  to  the 
Saviour ; — what  was  that  ?  John  vi.  68. 

21.  The  Jews  were  early  worshipers  at  the  temple; — 
how  did  the  apostles  avail  themselves  of  that  custom? 


42 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  V. 


There  was  another  meeting,  of  a  different  sort,  held  at  the 
same  time ; — of  whom  was  it  composed  ?  For  what  purpose 
was  it  called  together  ? 

22,  23.  They  were  waiting  for  the  return  of  their  officers, 
and  soon  received  some  surprising  news ; — what  was  it  ? 

24.  What  effect  did  this  news  produce  on  the  minds  of 
the  council  ?  If  they  had  had  honest  and  unprejudiced 
minds  they  would  not  have  remained  in  doubt ,  but  would 
have  believed  with  the  heart  unto  salvation.  When  the 
evidence  was  so  clear,  what  was  the  main  cause  of  un¬ 
belief?  See  Matt.  xiii.  15. 

In  reviewing  this  lesson,  what  proof  do  we  find  that 
“  lying  lips  are  an  abomination  to  the  Lord  ?” 

What  proof  that  the  apostles  were  inspired  and  com¬ 
missioned  to  be  the  guides  and  teachers  of  the  church  ? 

What  proof  that  mere  light  and  evidence  is  not  all  that 
is  sufficient  to  convert  the  soul  to  God  ? 

What  arguments  in  favor  of  fervent  prayer  for  the  influ¬ 
ence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ? 


CHAPTER  V. 

Lesson  II. — 25-42. 

25.  The  closing  verse  of  the  last  lesson  brought  to  our 
view  the  Jewish  council  assembled,  and  in  a  state  of  doubt. 
Soon,  however,  they  received  news  which  filled  them  with 
astonishment ; — what  was  that  ? 

26.  The  officers  had  expected  to  have  brought  the  apos¬ 
tles  before  the  council  out  of  a  lonely  prison.  But  they 
find  them  in  a  public  place,  surrounded  by  a  crowd.  In 
What  manner  did  the  officers  treat  them  ?  What  reason  is 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  V. 


43 


assigned  for  this  ?  This  is  another  instance  to  show  that 
the  persecutions  against  Christianity  did  not  arise  so  much 
from  the  people  as  from  governments. 

27.  The  apostles  had  anew  audience  to  address; — before 
whom  were  they  brought  ?  Who  questioned  them  ? 

28.  They  were  charged  with  violating  a  command  of  the 
council ; — what  command  was  that  ?  Where  is  it  recorded  ? 
Acts  iv.  18.  The  council  bore  testimony  to  the  diligence 
of  the  apostles ; — in  what  way  ?  When  the  rulers  put  Jesus 
to  death  they  took  the  responsibility  and  the  guilt  upon 
themselves; — what  did  they  say?  Matt,  xxvii.  25.  Now 
they  wish  to  get  rid  of  responsibility ; — how  do  they  show 
this  ? 

29.  The  high  priest  had  reminded  Peter  of  the  commands 
of  the  council ;  Peter  reminds  the  high  priest  of  a  higher 
authority ; — whose  was  that  ?  When  had  Peter  given  an 
answer  like  this  to  the  same  council  ?  Acts  iv.  19. 

30.  The  apostles  would  not  allow  the  council  to  throw 
off  the  responsibility  of  their  own  acts; — how  did  they 
charge  it  upon  them  ?  That  was  plain  preaching.  There 
were  plain  proofs  before  the  council  that  God  had  commis¬ 
sioned  the  apostles,  and  therefore  Peter  had  a  right  to 
speak  boldly. 

31.  They  had  degraded  Jesus; — what  had  God  done 
afterward  ?  Two  offices  are  here  assigned  to  Christ ; — 
what  are  they  ?  Many  are  willing  to  receive  Christ  in  the 
second  office  who  are  not  willing  to  receive  him  in  the 
first ; — can  we  really  do  this  ?  Two  blessings  are  here 
called  the  gifts  of  Christ ; — what  are  they  ?  Many  are 
willing  to  receive  the  second,  but  are  regardless  of  the 
first can  they  in  fact  be  separated  ?  Observe  the  sever¬ 
ity  and  kindness  of  true  preaching.  First,  it  convicts  of 
ain,  then  it  offers  pardon.  If  these  murderers  of  Christ 


44 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  V. 


had  repented  and  sought  pardon,  would  they  have  been 
forgiven  ? 

32.  The  apostles  knew  what  they  affirmed ; — what  did 
they  call  themselves  ?  They  appealed  to  proofs  direct  from 
heaven ; — what  were  these  ? 

33.  The  Jewish  rulers  ought  at  once  to  have  acknowl¬ 
edged  their  guilt,  and  sought  forgiveness ; — what  effect, 
however,  had  Peter’s  sermon  on  them?  What  did  they 
purpose  to  do  ?  The  same  sun  which  softens  wax  hardens 
clay.  The  same  truth  which  subdues  one  hardens  another. 
The  same  gospel  which  convinced  the  people  enraged  the 
rulers.  What  doctrine  may  we  see  illustrated  by  these 
facts  ?  Eph.  ii.  8. 

34.  While  the  council  were  inclined  to  violent  measures, 
a  man  noted  for  his  prudence  rose  up  to  speak; — what  was 
his  name  ?  What  was  his  profession  ?  Who  was  one  of  his 
most  noted  pupils  ?  Acts  xxii.  3.  How  was  he  regarded 
by  the  people  ?  He  is  believed  by  many  (according  to  Hr. 
Lightfoot)  to  have  been  a  son  of  the  pious  Simeon  who 
took  the  infant  Saviour  in  his  arms  and  blessed  him.  See 
Luke  ii.  25-34  If  so,  it  shows  how  true  is  the  old  proverb 
that  “grace  does  not  run  in  the  blood.”  We  never  find 
this  man  of  worldly  prudence  ranked  among  Christians. 
What  direction  did  he  give  to  the  council  ? 

35.  What  caution  did  he  give  ? 

36.  He  drew  a  lesson  from  history.  He  brought  to  mind 
a  fact  with  which  they  were  all  familiar ; — what  was  it  ? 

87.  A  similar  fact  occurred  in  the  days  of  “the  taxing,” 
about  twenty-one  years  before  this  meeting  of  the  council. 
As  a  province,  Judea  had  been  annexed  to  Syria,  and 
taxed  by  the  Roman  government.  A  Jewish  party  rose 
up  to  oppose  paying  the  tax,  saying,  that  “God’s  chosen 
people”  ought  not  to  pay  taxes  to  a  heathen  government. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  V. 


45 


£n  Galilee  they  were  led  by  one  Judas,  whom  Josephus 
calls  “  a  Gaulonite,”  from  Gaulanitis,  the  district  to  which 
he  belonged.  This  dispute  about  the  lawfulness  of  paying 
taxes  to  Rome  raged  during  Christ’s  ministry.  Do  yo^| 
remember  what  question  was  once  brought  to  him  on  that 
subject?  Matt.  xxii.  17-21.  What  success  did  Judas  have 
at  first  ?  What  became  of  him  ? 

38.  In  view  of  these  facts  Gamaliel  gives  the  council 

some  advice,  and  adds  an  argument  to  sustain  it.  What 
was  the  advice  ?  What  was  the  argument  ?  r 

39.  Gamaliel  must  have  been  deeply  impressed  with  the 
appearance  and  words  of  the  apostles.  He  was  afraid  to 
persecute  them ; — why  ?  Here  we  find  the  Jewish  rabbi 
agreeing  in  sentiment  with  his  pupil  Paul ; — on  what 
point  ?  Rom.  viii.  31.  Here  we  see  where  the  strength  of 
the  church  really  lies.  The  sentiment  of  Gamaliel  is  very 
much  like  that  which  was  once  beautifully  expressed  by 
another  opposer  of  God’s  church,  whom  a  heathen  king 
had  hired  to  curse  it; — what  sentiment  was  that ?  Num. 
xxiii.  23. 

40.  The  council  did  not  do  all  that  they  had  at  first 
intended.  They  followed  Gamaliel’s  advice  in  part ; — how 
far  ?  In  order  to  save  their  own  honor  they  thought  it 
necessary  to  disgrace  the  apostles ; — how  did  they  do  this  ? 
What  was  the  usual  punishment  in  such  cases  ?  2  Cor.  xi. 
24.  They  repeated  a  command  which  the  apostles  had 
already  said  they  could  not  possibly  obey; — what  was 
that  ? 

41.  Did  the  apostles  feel  themselves  disgraced  ?  What 
emotion  did  their  punishment  excite  in  their  minds  ?  This 
was  not  merely  a  momentary  feeling.  More  than  thirty 
years  afterward  one  of  them  wrote  a  letter  to  his  brethren 
in  which  he  expressed  the  same  feeling; — what  did  he  say  ? 


46 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VI. 


1  Pet.  iv,  16.  In  one  respect  they  felt  as  Paul  says  Moses 
did ; — in  what  ?  Heb.  xi.  26. 

42.  The  apostles  continued  to  be  as  bold  and  diligent  as 
ever ; — how  did  they  show  this  ?  What  was  their  great  work  ? 

In  reviewing  this  lesson,  observe  one  great  truth : 
God’s  church  will  always  be  protected.  It  may  be  “  cast 
down,  but  not  destroyed.”  It  is  like  the  burning  bush 
that  Moses  saw — it  may  be  encircled  in  flame,  but  it  can 
not  be  consumed.  Let  each  one  ask  himself,  therefore. 
Have  I  a  part  and  lot  in  the  church  of  God  ? 


CHAPTER  YI. 

Lesson. — 1-15. 

Wants  of  the  Poor — Need  of  Deacons — Appointment  of  Deacons— 
Discussions  of  Unbelievers  with  Stephen — Accusation  against 
Stephen. 

1.  From  the  foregoing  accounts  we  see  that  a  large 
body  of  persons,  gathered  from  numerous  countries,  had 
become  Christians  in  J erusalem,  and  that  they  were  there 
exposed  to  persecution.  Having  been  cut  off  from  friendly 
association  with  the  Jews,  they  formed  a  community  by 
themselves.  They  met  together  daily,  and  food  was  dis¬ 
tributed  to  all  the  needy  from  a  common  stock.  There 
were  two  classes  of  these  :  first,  the  foreign  Jews,  called 
Grecians,  or  Hellenists,  because  born  in  Grecian  coun¬ 
tries,  and  speaking  the  Grecian  language ;  second,  the  na¬ 
tive  Jews  called  Hebrews.  In  one  of  these  classes  com¬ 
plaints  arose ; — which  class  was  it  ?  What  was  the  cause 
of  complaint? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VI. 


47 


2.  When  these  complaints  were  heard,  what  was  done 
by  the  apostles?  What  did  they  say  respecting  their 
official  duties  ?  What  was  the  chief  duty  of  the  apostles  ? 
Luke  ix.  2.  They  always  continued  to  care  for  the  poor 
and  needy ; — what  proof  have  we  of  this  ?  Gal.  ii.  10. 

3.  Nevertheless,  division  of  labor  was  necessary.  A 
new  office  in  the  church  was  now  called  for.  What  meas¬ 
ure  did  the  apostles  propose  ?  What  traits  of  character 
did  this  new  office  require  ?  The  church  were  called  upon 
to  choose  the  men  whom  they  might  think  fit  to  fill  this 
office,  and  the  apostles  said  that  they  would  publicly  con¬ 
firm  the  election. 

4.  In  every  church  there  are  two  kinds  of  business 
which  must  be  attended  to  :  these  are  the  spiritual  and 
the  temporal.  In  this  verse  the  apostles  mark  this  dis¬ 
tinction  ; — in  what  way  ?  To  which  department  of  busi¬ 
ness  did  they  wish  to  devote  themselves  ? 

5.  How  did  the  church  receive  the  suggestion  of  the 
apostles  ?  How  many  deacons  did  they  elect  ?  They  did 
not  choose  Hebrews ,  but  Hellenists what  disposition 
did  they  show  by  this  fact  ?  The  last  person  mentioned, 
however,  was  a  native  Greek,  one  who  had  been  a  hea¬ 
then,  was  then  proselyted  to  the  Jewish  religion,  and 
afterward  became  a  Christian. 

6.  To  whom  did  the  church  present  these  deacons  ? 
They  were  then  publicly  ordained  or  set  apart.  In  what 
manner  was  this  done  ?  This  was  an  ancient  method  of 
inducting  into  office.  Num.  xxvii.  23. 

7.  The  apostles  now  gave  themselves  more  than  ever  to 
the  preaching  of  the  word ; — what  was  the  effect  of  their 
preaching  ?  In  what  place  was  the  greatest  number  of 
converts  made  ?  That  was  the  last  place  in  which  we 
should  have  expected  such  a  result why  ?  A  particular 


48 


AQTS,  CHAPTER  VI. 


class  of  converts  is  mentioned  ; — who  were  they  ?  These 
persons  were  among  the  last  in  whom  we  should  have  ex¬ 
pected  to  see  such  a  change  ; — why  ?  Luke  xxiii.  10.  Thus 
we  see  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  blessing  the  word. 
These  men  had  seen  miracles  wrought  by  Christ,  but 
were  not  converted  by  them.  They  were  subdued  by  the 
apostles’  preaching  of  Christ.  What  does  this  fact  teach 
us  respecting  the  spread  of  religion  ? 

8.  In  choosing  deacons,  the  church  looked  for  men 
“full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  wisdom.”  Verse  3.  Who 
is  mentioned  here  as  highly  distinguished  among  them  ? 
How  did  he  command  the  attention  of  the  people  ? 

9.  Stephen  met  with  warm  opposition ; — whence  did  it 
arise  ?  In  J erusalem  there  were  four  hundred  and  eighty 
synagogues,  and  the  Jews  from  any  one  of  the  foreign 
cities  generally  met  by  themselves.  Five  of  these  syna¬ 
gogues  are  here  mentioned ; — which  is  the  first  ?  The 
name  here  given  to  the  first  synagogue  wras  the  one 
which  was  used  by  the  Romans  to  denote  the  descendants 
of  those  who  had  been  taken  as  captives  in  war,  made 
slaves,  and  then  set  at  liberty.  They  thus  became  free 
citizens  of  Rome.  Which  is  the  second  synagogue  here 
mentioned  ?  These  people  came  from  a  place  in  the  north 
of  Africa,  now  called  Barca.  Simon,  who  bore  a  part  of 
the  Saviour’s  cross,  was  from  that  place.  Which  is  the 
third  synagogue  referred  to  ?  These  Jews  were  from 
Alexandria,  in  Egypt.  It  was  built  by  Alexander  the 
Great,  and  is  the  only  city  of  Egypt  mentioned  in  the 
New  Testament.  Which  is  the  fourth  synagogue  spoken 
of?  The  Jews  of  this  synagogue  were  from  Cilicia,  a 
province  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Mediterranean 
Sea.  The  apostle  Paul  was  a  native  of  this  province,  and 
was  therefore  called  “  Saul  of  Tarsus.”  Which  is  tho 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VL 


49 


fifth  synagogue  here  mentioned  ?  That  part  of  Asia 
which  juts  out  from  the  great  continent,  and  lies  between 
the  Mediterranean  and  the  Black  Sea,  was  called  Asia 
Minor ;  and  that  part  of  Asia  Minor  which  lies  around 
Ephesus  was  often  called  “  Asia,”  by  way  of  eminence. 
The  people  of  this  last  synagogue  were  probably  from  the 
district  of  Ephesus. 

10.  Here  we  find  that  Stephen  used  all  his  talents,  not 
only  those  which  qualified  him  to  be  a  deacon,  but  those 
also  which  fitted  him  to  be  an  evangelist.  This  latter 
office  required  great  wisdom; — in  regard  to  this,  what 
promise  had  our  Lord  given  to  his  disciples  ?  Luke  xxi.  15. 
Stephen  was  one  man  against  a  host ; — who  had  the  victory 
in  the  argument  ? 

11.  Not  being  able  to  cope  with  Stephen  in  argument, 
what  measure  did  they  resort  to  ?  Suborn  signifies  the 
procuring  of  a  person,  by  wrong  or  secret  means,  to  be 
the  agent  of  another.  In  English  law,  the  subornation  of 
perjury  is  defined  by  Judge  Blackstone  to  be  “  the  offense 
of  procuring  another  to  take  such  a  false  oath  as  would 
constitute  perjury  in  the  principal.”  With  what  crime  did 
these  men  charge  Stephen  ?  This  was  a  high  crime.  What 
was  its  punishment  by  the  Jewish  law  ?  Lev.  xxiv.  16. 

12.  They  endeavored  to  excite  the  whole  community 
against  him.  Three  classes  of  persons  are  mentioned  as 
being  roused  up  to  oppose  Stephen ; — who  were  they  ? 
Before  what  tribunal  did  they  bring  him  ? 

13.  These  men  made  a  show  of  honoring  the  law.  They 
summoned  witnesses; — of  what  character?  What  place 
did  they  mean  by  the  phrase  “  this  holy  place  ?”  Matt.  iv.  5. 

14.  What  were  the  words  which  these  witnesses  attrib¬ 
uted  to  Stephen  ?  These  words  sounded  like  those  of  Christ 
when  he  prophesied  the  destruction  of  J erusalem.  Christ’s 

3 


60 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


words  were  warnings  against  tlie  consequences  of  impeni¬ 
tence  and  unbelief.  Stephen  had  probably  repeated  them 
in  their  true  sense.  There  are  two  ways  of  bearing  false 
testimony  respecting  words.  One  is  to  attribute  to  a  per¬ 
son  words  that  he  never  uttered ;  another  is  to  pervert  the 
meaning  of  those  which  were  uttered.  Which  of  these 
methods  did  these  witnesses  take  ? 

15.  When  the  charge  was  made  the  Sanhedrim  turned 
their  eyes  toward  Stephen,  waiting  for  his  answer.  What 
did  they  observe  as  to  his  appearance  ?  When  Moses  came 
down  from  the  mount  something  similar  was  observed  as 
to  his  appearance; — what  was  that?  We  are  not  told 
whether  this  appearance  was  supernatural  or  not  in  the 
case  of  Stephen.  Heavenly  emotion  in  the  soul ,  not  affected, 
but  real  and  strong,  will  give  to  a  good  man’s  countenance 
an  angelic  expression.  Angels  regard  all  the  true  follow¬ 
ers  of  Christ  as  belonging  to  their  heavenly  brotherhood  ; 
'—how  do  they  make  this  manifest  ?  Heb.  i.  14. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Lesson  I. — 1-36. 

Stephen’s  Defense — History  of  the  Patriarchs — History  of  Mosee. 

1.  At  the  close  of  the  last  chapter  we  saw  that  Stephen 
was  brought  before  the  Sanhedrim.  The  president  of  that 
council  is  here  mentioned ; — who  was  he  ?  What  question 
did  he  ask  ?  Can  you  recall  the  accusations  to  which  he 
referred  ? 

2.  Stephen  addressed  his  enemies  in  a  respectful  manner ; 
— by  what  titles  ?  What  should  we  learn  from  this  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER,  VII. 


51 


Where  did  Abraham  live  when  God  first  appeared  to  him 
in  a  supernatural  manner  ?  The  name  of  this  country 
means  “between  the  rivers;5’  it  is  situated  between  the 
Euphrates  and  the  Tigris.  After  Abraham  left  his  early 
home  to  go  to  Canaan,  he  lingered  for  some  time  in 
Charran,  called  in  the  Old  Testament  Haran,  a  city  in 
the  northern  part  of  Mesopotamia. 

3.  What  command  was  given  to  Abraham?  Where  is  it 
recorded?  Gen.  xii.  1. 

4.  Ho.w  did  Abraham  treat  the  command  which  he  re¬ 
ceived  ?  Observe,  Mesopotamia  was  often  spoken  of  as 
being  included  in  the  land  of  the  Chaldeans.  Where  did 
Abraham’s  father  die  ?  Gen.  xi.  32.  What  was  his  name  ? 
After  that  event  where  did  Abraham  go  ?  At  that  time 
what  was  the  land  called  ?  This  emigration  from  the  east 
toward  the  west  was  done  for  the  sake  of  establishing  a 
nation  who  should  preserve  the  true  religion,  the  Chal¬ 
deans  having  given  themselves  up  to  idolatry. 

5.  Although  Abraham  resided  in  the  land  of  promise, 
he  did  not  obtain  complete  possession.  Nevertheless,  what 
did  God  promise  to  him  in  the  persons  of  his  posterity  ? 
What  made  this  promise  so  remarkable  ?  How  did  Abra¬ 
ham  express  his  astonishment  at  this  promise  ?  Gen.  xv. 
2-3.  The  promise  was  magnificent ; — how  did  God  express 
the  multitude  of  Abraham’s  posterity  ?  Gen.  xv.  5.  How 
did  Moses  afterward  express  the  fulfillment  of  this  promise  ? 
Deut.  i.  10. 

6.  What  gloomy  prediction  did  God  announce  to  Abra¬ 
ham?  What  “strange  land”  was  that  referred  to?  In 
what  condition  would  his  descendants  be  in  that  country  ? 
Until  what  period  ?  Observe,  the  meaning  of  this  phrase 
is,  “  until  the  expiration  of  four  centuries.”  Round  num¬ 
bers  are  here  used  to  denote  the  whole  time  in  which 


52 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


Abraham  and  his  posterity  were  sojourners ;  that  is,  from 
the  time  the  promise  was  given  to  Abraham  until  the 
organization  of  his  descendants  as  a  nation  under  Moses. 

7.  As  God  foresaw  the  wrongs  which  the  Egyptians 
would  inflict  on  the  Israelites,  what  did  he  say  would  be 
the  consequence  ?  Can  you  remember  in  what  manner  the 
Egyptians  were  punished  ?  At  the  same  time  what  prom¬ 
ise  was  given  to  the  posterity  of  Abraham  ? 

8.  What  did  God  give  to  Abraham  ?  Where  is  the 
original  account  of  this  ?  Gen.  xvii.  4-10.  In  performing 
his  part  of  this  covenant  what  did  Abraham  do  after  the 
birth  of  Isaac?  As  Jacob’s  sons  were  fathers  of  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel,  what  are  they  here  called  ?  The 
covenant  of  which  Stephen  speaks  in  this  verse  related 
only  to  the  Jews,  or  the  natural  descendants  of  Abra¬ 
ham.  There  was  a  previous  covenant,  however — “  the 
covenant  of  the  Messiah” — which  had  been  given  to  Abra¬ 
ham.  Where  is  the  original  account  of  this  ?  Gen.  xii.  1- 
3.  This  covenant  of  the  Messiah  embraces  all  the  spirit¬ 
ual  seed  of  Abraham ; — who  are  they  ?  Gal.  iii.  7,  14,  and 
29.  Notice  these  passages.  It  is  an  interesting  question 
for  each  one  to  ask  as  to  himself.  Have  I  a  part  in  the  cov¬ 
enant  of  the  Messiah  ? 

9.  Ten  of  Jacob’s  sons  cherished  an  evil  feeling  toward 
their  brethren  ; — what  was  it  ?  What  did  it  lead  them  to 
do?  What  land  became  the  home  of  Joseph?  Joseph 
was  an  exile  and  a  slave.  But  he  had  one  blessing  that 
made  up  for  every  loss ; — what  was  that  ? 

10.  How  was  the  kindness  of  God  shown  toward  Joseph 
in  Egypt  ? 

11.  A  great  public  calamity  afflicted  Egypt  and  Canaan ; 
— what  was  it?  What  was  the  consequence  to  the  patri¬ 
archs  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  Vll. 


53 


12.  What  news  did  Jacob  hear  from  Egypt?  You  see 
that  in  Egypt  the  calamity  had  been  foreseen  and  pro¬ 
vided  against;  —  do  you  remember  by  whom  this  was 
done  ?  Whom  did  J acob  send  into  Egypt  ? 

13.  During  their  second  visit  two  striking  facts  occur¬ 
red.  One  was  in  the  house  of  Joseph; — what  was  it? 
The  other  was  in  the  court  of  the  king ; — what  was  that  ? 

14.  What  did  J oseph’s  discovery  lead  him  to  do  ?  The 
number  of  Joseph’s  kindred  is  here  estimated  at  seventy  - 
five.  Im  Genesis  (xlvi.  27)  the  number  is  put  at  seventy. 
Stephen,  however,  includes  the  five  sons  of  Manasseli  and 
Ephraim,  born  in  Egypt,  who  were  omitted  by  Moses,  be¬ 
cause  they  did  not  emigrate  with  Jacob’s  family. 

15.  How  long  did  Jacob  and  his  sons  continue  in 
Egypt  ?  When  Jacob  arrived  in  Egypt  the  king  asked 
him  how  old  he  was ; — wliat  was  the  answer  ?  Gen.  xlvii. 
9.  How  old  was  Jacob  when  he  died  ?  Gen.  xlvii.  28. 

16.  Where  were  the  twelve  patriarchs,  the  sons  of 
Jacob,  buried  by  their  descendants  ?  Family  tombs  were 
always  held  in  great  reverence.  Observe  here,  that  Sy- 
chem  was  in  the  province  of  Samaria,  and  in  the  fourth 
chapter  of  John  is  called  Sychar,  the  place  where  Christ 
conversed  with  the  Samaritan  woman  at  c<  Jacob’s  well.” 
In  the  Old  Testament  it  is  called  Shechem.  Josh.  xxiv.  32% 
In  this  latter  passage  it  is  said  that  Jacob  bought  the 
ground  of  Hamor  (the  same  as  Emmor),  the  father  of 
Shechem.  In  the  verse  before  us  the  word  “  Abraham” 
is  evidently  a  misprint.  The  mistake  probably  originated 
with  some  ancient  transcriber.  Some  of  the  old  manu- 
scrips  have  “our  father,”  which,  of  course,  refers  to  Ja¬ 
cob,  not  to  Abraham.  As  Stephen  was  familiar  with  the 
Jewish  history,  it  is  not  at  all  probable  that  he  made  the 
mistake  in  the  sermon  which  Luke  here  records. 


54 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


17.  What  promise  is  here  meant  ?  Gen.  xv.  14-16.  While 
the  Israelites  were  in  Egyptian  bondage  did  they  increase 
or  diminish  in  number  ?  The  king  of  Egypt  was  vexed  at 
this  fact; — why  ?  Ex.  i.  7-9. 

18.  A  new  race  of  kings  came  upon  the  throne  of  Egypt, 
whq  felt  not  any  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  Israelites ; — how 
is  this  expressed  ? 

19.  How  did  the  new  king  treat  the  Israelites  ?  What 
did  the  king  fear  ?  Ex.  i.  10.  What  was  the  effect  of  his 
measures  ?  Ex.  i.  12. 

20.  During  this  time  of  trouble  a  child  was  born,  who 
afterward  became  renowned ; — what  was  his  name  ?  What 
is  said  of  his  personal  appearance  ?  How  long  was  he 
concealed  at  home,  in  spite  of  the  decree  to  destroy  male 
children  ?  The  parents  of  this  child  would  not  obey  a 
wicked  law ; — was  it  a  good  or  a  bad  principle  which  in¬ 
fluenced  them  ?  Heb.  xi.  23. 

21.  The  child’s  mother  cast  him  on  God’s  providence  in 
a  singular  manner ; — how  ?  Ex.  ii.  3.  What  was  the  re¬ 
sult  ? 

22.  The  child  was  educated  like  a  prince ; — how  is  this 
expressed  ?  What  kind  of  a  character  did  he  form  ?  Elo¬ 
quence  is  not  essential  to  a  great  character ; — how  is  this 
shown  ?  Ex.  iv.  10. 

23.  How  old  was  Moses  before  he  began  that  career 
which  is  described  in  the  Bible  ?  What  did  he  then  re¬ 
solve  to  do  ?  Although  he  lived  in  a  palace,  and  was  the 
companion  of  courtiers,  yet  he  was  not  ashamed  of  his 
enslaved  kindred.  What  principle  influenced  his  con¬ 
duct?  Heb.  xi.  24-26.  In  what  respect  is  he  an  example 
to  us  ? 

24.  On  visiting  his  brethren,  how  did  he  show  his  sym¬ 
pathy  for  the  oppressed  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


55 


25.  At  this  time  what  did  Moses  expect  of  his  brethren  ? 
In  what  was  he  disappointed  ?  Oppression  always  tends 
to  darken  the  mind  and  destroy  moral  energy.  Such  is 
the  effect  of  slavery  in  every  age. 

26.  The  next  day  he  witnessed  a  scene  of  painful  strife ; 
— between  whom  ?  He  proposed  to  act  as  a  mediator  ; — 
what  did  he  say  ? 

27.  His  kindness  was  treated  with  scorn ; — by  whom  ? 
What  taunting  question  was  put  to  him  ?  A  true  peace¬ 
maker  is  often  resisted  thus  by  men  in  a  state  of  excited 
passion nevertheless,  what  is  our  duty  in  such  cases  ? 
Matt.  v.  9. 

28.  Another  question  followed,  more  alarming  than  a 
taunt ; — what  was  that  ?  This  question  showed  to  Moses 
that  his  brethren  were  treacherous,  and  had  circulated 
the  report  of  his  having  killed  an  Egyptian.  If  the  report 
had  reached  the  king,  what  would  have  been  the  conse¬ 
quence  ? 

29.  On  this  account  Moses  went  into  exile ; — whither  ? 
The  land  here  mentioned  is  situated  between  the  northern 
gulfs  of  the  Red  Sea.  There  Moses  found  a  home.  He 
married  a  daughter  of  Jethro,  priest  of  Midian.  How’ 
many  sons  had  he  ?  Their  names  were  memorials  of  God's 
goodness; — what  did  they  signify  ?  Ex.  xviii.  3,  4. 

30.  How  long  did  Moses  remain  in  that  land  ?  A  rev¬ 
elation  was  then  made  to  him ; — at  what  place  ?  How  was 
it  made  ?  What  excited  the  astonishment  of  Moses  ?  Ex. 
iii.  3. 

31.  While  he  gazed  on  this  spectacle  how  did  Moses 
feel  ?  Who  then  spoke  to  him  ? 

32.  In  what  character  did  the  Almighty  reveal  himself: 
These  words  were  adapted  to  encourage  him ; — why  then 
did  he  tremble  ?  From  these  words  it  appears  that  “  the 


56 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  Vli. 


angel  of  the  Lord,”  mentioned  in  verse  30,  -was  the  same 
being  who  is  called  “  the  angel  of  the  covenant,”  or  “  the 
angel- Jehovah”  (as  the  Jews  expressed  it),  frequently  in 
the  Old  Testament.  That  was  “  the  Son  of  God.”  This 
accords  with  the  expression  of  Paul  respecting  Moses  : 
“  Esteeming  the  reproach  of  Chi'ist  greater  riches  than 
the  treasures  in  Egypt.”  Heb.  xi.  26. 

33.  Then  what  command  did  Moses  receive  ?  What  was 
the  reason  for  that  command  ?  This  was  a  very  ancient 
method  of  expressing  reverence  for  a  sacred  place.  The 
Jewish  priests  used  to  perform  their  religious  services 
barefooted.  In  Eastern  countries  similar  customs  still 
continue ;  for,  on  entering  a  mosque,  or  temple,  every  one 
is  obliged  to  put  off  his  boots  or  sandals. 

34.  Although  God  had  not  interposed,  as  yet,  to  deliver 
the  Israelites  from  bondage,  it  was  not  because  he  had 
been  unmindful  of  them ; — how  did  he  express  this  ?  What 
did  he  say  that  he  would  now  do  ?  Whom  would  he  send 
for  this  purpose  ?  Observe,  the  Scriptures  teach  that  God 
is  everywhere,  yet  when  he  makes  himself  manifest  to 
men,  he  is  said  to  come  down  from  heaven  to  earth.  This 
mode  of  expression  accords  with  our  conceptions  of  the 
Most  High,  as  being  above  us. 

35.  Stephen  reminds  the  council  of  the  treatment  which 
Moses  had  received  from  their  forefathers ; — what  was 
that  ?  Nevertheless,  what  did  God  cause  Moses  to  be¬ 
come  ?  In  these  remarks  Stephen  is  preparing  the  way  to 
show  that  Jesus,  the  true  Messiah,  had  been  treated  as 
Moses  had  been. 

36.  What  did  Moses  accomplish  for  the  Israelites  ? 
From  what  country  did  he  bring  them  out  ?  How  did  he 
prove  his  authority  ?  What  kind  of  signs  did  he  show  ? 
The  Red  Sea  lies  between  Egypt  and  the  Desert  of  Ara- 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


57 


bia  Two  great  events  occurred  there ; — what  was  the 
first?  Ex.  xiv.  21,22.  What  was  the  second?  Ex.  xiv. 
26-28.  How  long  were  they  kept  in  the  Desert  of  Ara¬ 
bia  ?  How  were  they  provided  with  food  ?  Ex.  xvi.  13-15. 
How  were  they  provided  with  water  ?  Ex.  xvii.  6.  True 
Christians  are  represented  as  being,  in  a  spiritual  sense. 
“  Israelites  indeed,”  journeying  through  the  world  to  the 
heavenly  Canaan.  They  derive  their  sustenance  from 
God  alone.  Of  what  was  the  manna  an  emblem?  John 
vi.  49-51.  What  did  the  rock  which  became  a  spring  of 
water  represent  ?  1  Cor.  x.  4.  How  may  we  receive  the 
blessings  which  are  thus  exhibited  to  our  view  ? 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Lesson  II. — 37-60. 

Stephen  shows  that  Moses  foretold  the  Coming  of  Christ— That  the 
Israelites  were  disposed  to  rebel  against  Moses,  and  to  fall  into 
Idolatry — That  they  had  rebelled  against  the  Prophets — That  at 
last  they  had  rejected  the  Messiah  himself— Stephen,  the  first 
Christian  Martyr,  is  put  to  Death. 

37.  Stephen  proceeds  to  quote  a  prophecy  of  Moses ; — 
what  was  it?  Where  is  it  found?  Deut.  xviii.  18,  19. 
Peter  had  quoted  the  same  prophecy.  Acts  iii.  22.  To 
whom  did  Peter  apply  it?  Christ  was  like  Moses  in 
this,  he  united  in  himself  the  characters  of  prophet  and 
lawgiver; — but  in  what  respect  was  Christ  superior  to 
Moses  ?  Heb.  iii.  5,  6.  The  Jews,  to  whom  Stephen  spoke, 
maintained  that  those  who  followed  Christ  forsook  Moses ; 
— do  you  see  how  this  charge  was  disproved  ? 

38.  Stephen  speaks  further  of  the  greatness  and  the 

3* 


58 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


authority  of  Moses; — wliat  does  he  call  the  body  of  Israel¬ 
ites  whom  Moses  led  ?  Observe,  the  word  ecclesia ,  here 
translated  “church,”  means  an  assembly,  and  is  so  trans¬ 
lated  in  Acts  xix.  32.  What  does  he  say  that  Moses  received 
on  behalf  of  the  people?  Where  did  he  receive  them? 
Where  are  they  recorded?  Ex.  xx.  1-17. 

39.  Notwithstanding  all  the  glory  with  which  God  in¬ 
vested  Moses  how  was  he  treated  ?  What  did  the  people 
desire  to  do  in  spite  of  his  authority  ?  How  was  Moses 
affected  by  their  treatment  of  him  ?  Ex.  xvii.  4.  How 
did  the  people  try  to  get  rid  of  Moses  ?  Num.  xiv.  4,  5, 

40.  What  sinful  project  did  they  ask  the  brother  of 
Moses  to  engage  in  with  them  ?  While  Moses  was  on  the 
mount  receiving  the  oracles  they  spoke  of  him  disrespect¬ 
fully  ; — how  ? 

41.  They  imitated  their  Egyptian  masters  in  regard  to 
a  certain  form  of  idolatry ; — what  was  that  ?  How  did 
they  worship  the  idol  ?  How  did  they  express  their  joy  ? 
Ex.  xxxii.  6.  Why  were  these  things  recounted  ?  1  Cor. 
x.  6,  7. 

42.  When  they  turned  away  from  God  he  turned  away 
from  them  the  manifestations  of  favor ; — how  is  this  ex¬ 
pressed  ?  The  sorest  punishment  of  a  sinner  is  to  give 
him  up  to  the  power  and  the  consequences  of  sin ; — how 
did  the  Israelites  experience  the  truth  of  this  ?  Ps.  cvi. 
32-41.  The  Israelites  pretended  to  worship  God  by  means 
of  idols.  Stephen  quotes  an  old  prophet  to  show  that  God 
would  not  accept  such  worship.  What  appeal  did  the 
prophet  make  on  this  point  ?  Amos  v.  25,  2G. 

43.  What  were  the  names  of  the  idols  which  the  Israelites 
adopted  ?  To  the  first  of  these  children  were  offered  in 
sacrifice.  This  idol-worship  was  abominable  and  cruel. 
What  law  was  given  to  the  Israelites  in  regard  to  this  r 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIl. 


59 


Lev.  xx.  1-3.  Ilemphan  was  also  called  Chiun,  worshiped 
under  the  image  of  a  star,  probably  to  denote  Saturn. 
Of  the  god  Saturn  the  story  was  that  he  ate  his  own  chil* 
dren.  What  was  the  punishment  threatened  against  the 
nation  for  upholding  idolatry  ? 

44.  In  the  tabernacle  which  Moses  built  there  were  no 
idols; — what  did  it  contain?  Heb.  ix.  4,  5.  What  does 
Stephen  call  that  tabernacle  in  this  verse  ?  Who  gave 
Moses  the  pattern  of  it  ?  Observe,  this  tabernacle  was 
movable;  it  could  be  taken  to  pieces,  and  carried  about 
from  one  place  to  another.  It  was  about  fifty-five  feet 
long,  eighteen  broad,  and  eighteen  high. 

45.  Stephen  refers  to  Joshua,  who  succeeded  Moses. 
Joshua  is  a  Hebrew  name,  of  which  Jesus  is  the  Greek. 
Joshua  led  the  Israelites  into  Canaan ; — why  is  it  here 
called  “  the  possession  of  the  G  entiles  ?”  These  heathen 
were  not  all  driven  out  at  once ; — who  was  the  king  that 
gained  the  final  victories  over  them  ?  The  descendants  of 
those  who  built  the  tabernacle  did  not  abandon  it ; — into 
what  land  did  they  bear  it  ? 

46.  How  was  David  distinguished  ?  He  desired  to  build 
a  permanent  place  of  worship,  that  is,  a  temple ; — why 
was  he  not  permitted  to  do  it  ?  1  Chron.  xxviii.  2,  3. 

47.  David  prepared  the  materials,  but  who  built  the 
temple  ? 

48.  The  Jews  gloried  much  in  their  temple-service,  as 
if  that  could  save  them  of  itself.  Stephen,  therefore, 
quotes  from  the  dedicatory  prayer  of  Solomon  a  very  im¬ 
portant  truth  ; — what  is  that  ?  How  did  Solomon  express 
this  ?  1  Kings  viii.  27. 

49.  50.  This  error  of  the  Jews  Isaiah  had  rebuked  before. 
Stephen  therefore  quotes  that  prophet ; — by  what  figures 
does  he  denote  the  majesty  of  God  ?  What  appeal  does  he 


60 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


make  respecting  God  as  the  owner  of  the  universe  ?  Where 
are  these  sublime  expressions  found?  Isa.  lxvi.  1,  2. 

51.  Here  Stephen  ceases  to  discourse  on  the  Jewish 
history  Evidently,  he  saw  that  his  audience  were  opposed 
to  the  lessons  which  he  was  drawing  from  it.  By  what 
figurative  expression  does  he  denote  their  obstinacy  ?  He 
saw  that  the  evil  passions  of  their  hearts  were  unre¬ 
strained  ; — how  does  he  denote  this  ?  Whom  does  he  say 
that  they  habitually  resisted  ?  Whose  bad  example  did 
they  follow  ? 

52.  The  nation  had  always  opposed  the  prophets what 
appeal  does  he  make  to  them  respecting  that  ?  Jesus  had 
charged  them  with  the  same  crime ; — what  had  he  said  ? 
Matt,  xxiii.  37.  According  to  the  general  belief  Isaiah 
had  been  sawn  asunder,  and  Jeremiah  had  been  stoned  to 
death.  They  had  killed  those  who  foretold  the  Messiah  ; 
— how  did  they  fill  up  the  measure  of  their  iniquity  at 
last  ? 

53.  They  gloried  in  the  law  ?  Angels  had  officiated  in 
revealing  it ; — yet  how  had  they  treated  it  ?  Angels  often 
made  revelations  under  the  Old  Testament  dispensation. 
It  was  a  common  belief  of  the  J ews  that  heavenly  hosts 
hovered  around  Mount  Sinai  when  the  law  was  given. 
What  does  Paul  call  the  angels  of  God  ?  Heb.  i.  14. 

54.  Stephen’s  sermon  abruptly  closes.  What  effect  did 
these  truths  have  on  the  hearts  of  the  hearers?  What 
outward  signs  of  rage  did  they  exhibit  ? 

55.  Their  souls  were  filled  with  wicked  and  lawless 
anger,  but  Stephen’s  soul  was  filled  with  a  different  influ¬ 
ence  ; — what  was  that  ?  He  turned  his  eyes  from  earth 
toward  heaven  ; — what  did  he  behold  ? 

56.  Immediately  he  declared  the  glorious  vision ; — what 
did  he  say  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VII. 


61 


57.  As  if  shocked  with  blasphemy,  what  did  they  at  once 
do  ? 

58.  What  did  the  law  against  blasphemy  command  ? 
Lev.  xxiv.  14-16.  No  legal  decision  had  been  given 
against  Stephen,  and  the  trial  ended  in  a  riot.  No  doubt, 
however,  the  council  connived  at  this.  Where  did  they 
carry  Stephen  ?  The  false  witnesses  against  Stephen  joined 
in  the  riot,  and  they  cast  off  their  robes  for  this  purpose ; 
— in  whose  charge  did  they  leave  them  ?  This  4  4  young 
man”  was  afterward  converted,  and  took  another  name ; — 
what  was  that  ?  He  deeply  repented  of  having  had  any 
thing  to  do  with  the  murder  of  Stephen ; — what  confession 
did  he  make  ?  Acts  xxii.  20. 

59.  In  his  last  moments,  in  what  was  Stephen  engaged  ? 
To  whom  did  he  address  his  last  prayer  for  his  own  soul  ? 

60.  As  the  stones  were  about  to  fall  on  the  first  Christian 
martyr,  what  attitude  did  he  assume  ?  For  whom  did  he 
offer  his  last  prayer  ?  What  did  he  desire  ?  Whose  ex¬ 
ample  did  he  imitate  in  this  ?  The  writer  uses  a  beautiful 
expression  to  denote  a  Christian  death; — what  is  it? 
Jesus  used  a  similar  expression  in  regard  to  the  death 
of  Lazarus.  It  shows  that  a  Christian  should  not  fear 
death.  Death  is  called  by  some  44  the  king  of  terrors.” 
How  may  we  obtain  a  victory  over  him  ?  1  Cor.  xv  57. 


62 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIII. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Lesson  I. — 1-17. 

Persecution  at  Jerusalem— The  Gospel  carried  to  Samaria — A  Sor¬ 
cerer  Baptized — The  Gifts  of  the  Holy  Spirit  granted  to  the 

Converts. 

1.  The  last  chapter  closed  with  an  account  of  the  death 
of  Stephen.  When  his  murderers  ran  upon  him  they  left 
their  mantles  in  charge  of  Saul.  Was  he,  however,  acting 
heartily  with  them  ?  The  death  of  Stephen  was  like  the 
first  blast  of  a  storm ; — what  followed  ?  What  became  of 
the  chief  portion  of  the  church?  Who  remained?  Un¬ 
doubtedly,  by  this  time,  the  council  stood  in  awe  of  the 
apostles.  They  stood  like  4 4  the  staff  of  a  regiment,”  whoso 
soldiers  have  been  scattered,  but  which  may  be  formed 
again  and  led  on  to  battle. 

2.  Although  the  body  of  Stephen  was  not  buried  imme¬ 
diately  after  death,  according  to  the  Jewish  custom,  it  was 
not  suffered  to  remain  without  a  funeral ; — what  was  done 
with  it?  These  men  were  like  Joseph  of  Arimathea; — 
why  ?  What,  duty,  or  what  duties,  may  we  learn  from 
their  conduct  ? 

3.  At  this  time  who  was  the  leading  persecutor  ?  He 
spared  neither  age  or  sex ; — how  did  he  conduct  the  per¬ 
secution  ? 

4.  Tlig  evil  was  overruled  for  good ; — how  ?  Every 
private  Christian  may  do  something  for  the  spread  of  the 
gospel ;  and  when  all  who  compose  a  church  are  faithful 
the  cause  of  Christ  must  conquer. 

6.  Who  is  now  brought  to  view  as  a  preacher  ?  He  was 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIII. 


63 


not  an  apostle,  but  a  deacon,  whose  election  is  mentioned. 
Acts  yi.  5.  Where  was  his  home  ?  Acts  xxi.  8.  Where 
did  he  carry  the  gospel  ?  What  was  the  main  subject  of 
his  preaching  ?  Who  founded  this  city  where  Philip 
preached  ?  1  Kings  xvi.  23,  24. 

6.  How  did  the  people  of  this  city  receive  Philip  ? 

7.  What  proofs  did  Philip  give  of  his  authority  as  a 
witness  for  Christ  ?  Jesus  had  given  to  his  disciples  the 
promise,  “  The  works  that  I  do  shall  ye  do  also.5’  Have 
we  any  account  of  works  like  these  performed  by  Christ  ? 
Mark  i.  23-27. 

8.  Here  was  a  great  religious  awakening ; — what  was 
the  effect  ?  Is  this  always  the  effect  of  true  religion  ? 
Rom.  xiv.  17. 

9.  A  notorious  impostor  is  here  mentioned  ; — what  was 
his  name  ?  What  did  he  practice  ?  His  art  was  often 
called  magic,  from  the  Eastern  magi,  who  pretended  to 
foretell  the  future  by  means  of  stars  ;  others  did  it  by  lot, 
entrails  of  animals,  etc.  The  people  of  Samaria  were 
greatly  astonished  and  fascinated  by  Simon ; — how  is  this 
expressed?  He  was  a  great  boaster; — in  what  respect? 
Real  greatness  is  humble  ; — how  did  the  apostles  speak  of 
their  mighty  works  ?  Acts  iii.  12. 

10.  What  had  the  people  thought  of  Simon  ?  To  what 
agency  did  they  attribute  his  arts  ? 

11.  They  had  seen  many  of  his  magical  tricks,  but  had 
never  seen  through  them ; — what  was  the  consequence  ? 

12.  Yet  when  Philip  preached  the  gospel  to  1^}em,  how 
were  their  minds  affected?  How  did  they  profess  their 
faith  ? 

13.  How  was  Simon  affected  ?  But  what  chiefly  engaged 
his  attention  ?  He  knew  that  his  own  works  were  tricks, 
and  he  saw  that  those  of  Philip  were  realities.  Thus,  al- 


64 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIII. 


though  he  was  a  bad  man,  he  furnished  evidence  of  the 
truth  of  Christianity. 

14.  The  apostles  at  Jerusalem,  seeing  that  a  new  church 
was  rising  up  in  Samaria,  sent  men  to  oversee  the  work ; — 
who  were  they  ?  The  Papists  say  that  Peter  was  superior 
in  office  to  the  other  apostles  ; — does  this  verse  prove  that, 
or  the  contrary  ?  They  say,  that  as  chief  or  primate  in 
the  church,  the  pope  is  his  successor ; — would  any  body 
of  men  now  send  a  pope  to  minister  in  an  infant  church  ? 
For  what  purposes  were  Peter  and  John  sent  to  Samaria  ? 

15.  When  the  apostles  arrived  in  Samaria,  wliat  blessing 
did  they  seek  for  the  young  converts  ? 

16.  Why  did  they  pray  for  this  blessing  particularly  ? 
But  can  any  be  truly  converted  without  the  influence  of 
the  Holy  Spirit?  John  iii.  5.  We  see,  therefore,  that  by 
the  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost  are  meant  the  miraculous 
gifts  of  power,  which  Christ  had  promised  to  the  first 
disciples.  Mark  xvi.  17,  18. 

17.  After  prayer  what  did  the  apostles  do  ?  This  was. 
an  outward  sign ; — what  followed  ?  In  that  age,  when 
impostors  and  magic  arts  were  so  common,  real  miracles 
were  necessary  in  order  to  establish  the  truth  of  Chris¬ 
tianity  as  a  divine  religion,  and  to  show  that  it  alone  was, 
as  a  religion,  4 4  the  great  power  of  God.”  On  this  point 
Paul  wrote  to  the  early  Christians,  urging  them  not  to 
think  too  much  of  the  outward  gifts,  because  there  was 
for  them  something  better ; — what  was  that  ?  1  Cor.  xiii. 
1,  2.  Outward  signs  were  not  for  the  benefit  of  Chris¬ 
tians  ; — b#t  for  whom  ?  1  Cor.  xiv.  22.  Outward  signs 
have  passed  away,  but  we  should  seek  that  gift  of  the 
Spirit  that  abideth  forever  ; — what  is  that  ?  1  Cor.  xiii.  8. 
What  great  things  does  Paul  say  a  man  may  do  and  yet 
not  have  this  grace  ?  1  Cor.  xiii.  8.  What  is  the  best 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIII. 


65 


proof  that  one  has  this  better  gift  or  grace  ?  John  xiv.  23. 
The  apostle  John  declares  that  true  love  to  Christ,  faith, 
obedience,  perseverance,  and  salvation  all  go  together, 
and  are  never  separated ; — where  does  he  show  this  ?  1 
J ohn  v.  1-4.  How  important  then  is  the  question,  Have  I 
a  true,  a  supreme  love  to  Christ ! 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Lesson  II. — 18-40. 

Simon  Magus  Unmasked — The  Ethiopian  Convert. 

We  have  already  seen  that  Simon  Magus  was  astonished 
to  behold  the  miracles  wrought  by  Philip,  and  that  he  fully 
believed  in  their  reality.  It  is  clear,  however,  that  his 
belief  went  no  further,  and  that  he  did  not  apprehend  the 
doctrines  which  Philip  taught. 

18.  What  fact  is  here  mentioned  which  Simon  witnessed 
with  astonishment  ?  What  offer  did  he  make  to  the  apos¬ 
tles  ? 

19.  He  did  not  ask  merely  that  he  might  receive  the 
gifts  of  the  Spirit,  but  something  beyond  that ; — what  was 
it  ?  Observe,  that  which  he  wished  to  buy  was  apostolic 
power — “  Give  me  power  and  I  will  give  you  money.” 
Hence  came  the  word  simony ,  which  means,  ‘ 4  making  a 
trade  of  religion.” 

20.  How  did  Peter  express  his  indignation  ?  IWhat  rea¬ 
son  did  he  assign  for  it  ?  Some  have  thought  that  Peter 
pronounced  a  curse  on  Simon,  and  doomed  him  to  perdi¬ 
tion.  But  if  that  had  been  so,  the  apostle  would  not  have 
exhorted  him  to  seek  salvation.  The  words  of  Peter, 


66 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIII. 


therefore,  denote  no  more  than  his  scorn  of  the  “  wages  of 
iniquity,”  and  the  perishing  nature  of  money,  together 
with  the  doom  that  Simon’s  sin  would  incur  unless  he 
Bhould  repent. 

21.  Although  Simon  had  professed  Christianity,  yet  of 
what  was  he  destitute  ?  It  is  said  that  he  believed,  but 
his  faith  was  defective ; — why  ?  True  faith  is  something 
more  than  acknowledging  the  reality  of  miracles  or  other 
evidences  of  Christianity ; — in  what  respect  ?  Rom.  x.  10. 

22.  Peter  exhorts  Simon  to  two  great  duties  ; — what  was 
the  first  ?  What  was  the  second  ? 

23.  The  apostle  sets  forth  the  bad  condition  of  Simon 
under  two  aspects :  1.  The  evil  nature  of  his  sin ; — how 
does  he  express  this  ?  2.  The  power  of  sin ; — how  is  this 
denoted  ?  Some  have  thought  that  a  very  had  man  ought 
not  to  pray; — what  does  Peter  teach  on  that  point?  It 
should  be  remembered,  however,  that  there  can  be  no  true 
prayer  for  pardon  without  sorrow  for  the  sin.  Peter  con¬ 
nects  one  with  the  other; — can  they  ever  be  separated? 

24.  We  see  no  evidence  that  Simon  prayed  for  himself; 
— what  request  did  he  make  ?  Which  feeling  seems  to  pre¬ 
vail  in  him,  sorrow  for  sin  or  fear  of  punishment  ?  Which 
prevails  in  the  true  penitent  ?  Historians  relate  that  this 
Simon  became  the  leader  of  a  corrupt  sect,  who  mixed 
Christian  doctrines  with  enormous  errors.  This  is  proba¬ 
ble,  but  the  evidence  is  not  decisive. 

25.  The  apostles  confirmed  the  mission  of  Philip; — how  ? 
On  their  way  homeward  what  did  they  do  ?  So  we  see  that 
there  was  Joy  in  the  villages  but  gloom  in  the  great  metrop¬ 
olis. 

26.  Philip  had  been  preaching  in  Samaria,  in  the  north¬ 
ern  part  of  Palestine ;  now  he  is  sent  to  the  south ; — what 
commission  did  he  receive  ?  From  whom  did  he  receive  it  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIII. 


67 


He  was  to  pass  by  Jerusalem  and  go  to  Gaza,  about  forty  - 
six  miles  southwest  of  the  metropolis.  Christ’s  ministers 
are  not  always  sent  in  flowery  paths  ; — in  what  condition 
was  this  part  of  the  country  ? 

27.  How  did  Philip  answer  the  message  ?  On  liis  way 
he  saw  a  traveler ; — of  what  country  ?  The  inhabitants 
of  that  land  were  called  by  the  Greeks,  “  aithiops,”  that 
is,  “  burnt  faces.”  It  lies  in  Africa,  south  of  Egypt,  west 
of  the  Red  Sea.  Who  is  mentioned  as  the  queen  of  that 
country  ?  This  name  was  as  common  among  Ethiopian 
queens  as  Pharaoh  was  among  Egyptian  kings.  What  of¬ 
fice  did  this  man  hold  ?  He  had  been  traveling  hundreds 
of  miles  for  what  purpose  ?  He  was  one  of  a  class  for 
whom  Solomon,  at  the  dedication  of  the  temple,  had  of¬ 
fered  special  prayer ; — what  class  ?  1  Kings  viii.  41-43. 

28.  In  what  direction  was  this  man  traveling  ?  In  what 
manner  did  he  travel  ?  A  roll  of  Scripture  was  in  his 
hand  ; — what  was  it  ?  Here  is  proof  that  he  was  an  earn¬ 
est  inquirer  after  religious  knowledge ; — what  is  it  ? 

29.  To  this  man  God  “  had  regard — how  is  this 
shown  ?  By  a  common  mode  of  speech,  the  chariot  is  here 
used  for  the  person  in  it. 

30.  In  what  manner  did  Philip  obey  the  divine  direc¬ 
tion?  It  is  common  in  Eastern  countries,  more  than  in 
ours,  for  persons  to  read  aloud  ; — what  proof  is  there  that 
this  man  was  doing  so  ?  Philip  embraced  the  opportunity 
to  draw  him  into  conversation ; — what  question  did  he  ask  ? 

31.  The  traveler  acknowledged  his  need  of  teaching; — 
in  what  way  ?  How  did  he  treat  the  evangelist  ? 

32.  The  part  of  Isaiah  which  he  was  reading  we  now 
call  the  fifty- third  chapter.  The  subject  is  the  death  of 
Christ.  It  was  written  seven  centuries  before  the  Christian 
era.  How  does  the  prophet  exhibit  the  meekness  of  Christ  ? 


68 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  VIII. 


33.  The  prophet  foresaw  that  Christ  would  be  treated 
with  injustice  and  be  abandoned; — how  does  he  express 
this  ? 

34.  What  question  did  the  traveler  ask  the  evangelist  ? 

35.  How  did  Philip  answer  it?  What  follows  shows 
that  Philip  gave  to  this  inquirer  a  full  account  of  the 
Christian  religion,  as  to  its  history,  doctrines,  and  ordi¬ 
nances. 

36.  As  they  journeyed  to  what  did  they  come  ?  The 
Ethiopian  shows  that  he  wished  to  be  a  practical  Chris¬ 
tian; — how  ?  He  seemed  to  be  pleased  with  the  sight  of 
the  water ; — why  ? 

37.  Philip  shows  the  new  disciple  that  an  outward  ob¬ 
servance  would  be  of  no  worth  in  itself ; — in  what  way 
does  he  denote  this  ?  What  confession  of  faith  did  the 
Ethiopian  then  make  ?  You  perceive  that  the  short  phrase, 
4 4  he  preached  Jesus,”  includes  much; — what  then  does 
this  confession  of  faith  include  ? 

38.  What  command  did  Philip  give  ?  He  and  the  new 
convert  both  left  the  chariot ;  where  did  they  go  ?  What 
act  did  Philip  then  perform  ? 

39.  The  ordinance  having  been  performed,  what  did 
they  do  next  ?  The  disciple,  no  doubt,  would  have  been 
pleased  if  he  could  have  retained  the  teacher  with  him. 
But  God  had  other  wcrk  for  his  servant; — how  is  this 
shown  ?  By  a  divine  impulse  Philip  was  hastened  away ; 
— where  did  the  baptized  disciple  go  ?  In  what  state  of 
mind  ?  Philip  had  found  him  in  a  state  of  doubt  and  per¬ 
plexity,  but  left  him  in  a  very  different  condition; — what 
may  we  learn  from  this  change  ? 

40.  Philip  had  returned  northward; — where  was  he 
next  heard  of?  That  place  was  called  Aslidod  in  ancient 
days.  1  Sam.  vi.  17.  It  was  about  thirty  miles  from  Gaza. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IX. 


69 


From  tliat  place  he  went  to  the  city  of  his  residence,  which 
we  have  already  referred  to  ; — where  was  that  ?  How  did 
he  employ  himself  on  the  way  ?  What  must  have  been  his 
character  as  a  missionary  ?  This  chapter  contains  an  in¬ 
teresting  history.  We  see  the  gospel  driven  from  Jerusa¬ 
lem,  welcomed  in  Samaria,  and  borne  to  Ethiopia.  It 
meets  severe  struggles,  yet  constantly  triumphs.  Thus 
lias  it  ever  been.  The  struggle  is  still  going  on.  What 
shall  be  the  result  ?  Isa.  lxi.  11.  Every  friend  of  the  gos¬ 
pel  may- do  something ; — according  to  what  rule  should  we 
contribute  to  this  service  ?  Gal.  vi.  9, 10. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Lesson  I. — 1-22. 

Saul,  the  Persecutor,  arrested  in  his  Course — Converted  to  Christ- 
Called  to  be  an  Apostle — Is  Cured  of  his  Blindness,  is  Baptized, 
and  Preaches  the  Gospel. 

1.  We  have  already  had  occasion  to  notice  the  young 
man  who  sympathized  with  the  murderers  of  Stephen, 
and  who  took  charge  of  their  mantles  while  they  were 
stoning  him  to  death.  He  is  now  brought  to  view  again. 
What  spirit  did  he  exhibit  ?  To  whom  did  he  go  to  obtain 
a  sanction  to  his  proceedings  ? 

2.  Having  driven  the  Christians  from  Jerusalem,  he 
saw  how  readily  they  would  seek  refuge  in  Damascus,  the 
capital  of  Syria,  150  miles  distant.  It  is  an  ancient  city, 
and  is  mentioned  in  the  book  of  Genesis  xv.  2,  as  the  native 
place  of  Eliezer,  Abraham’s  servant.  It  has  always  figured 
in  history,  and  Damascus  silks  are,  to  this  day,  well  known 


TO 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IX. 


in  our  marts  of  tr^tde.  In  the  time  of  the  apostles  it  was 
under  the  government  of  the  Romans,  but  the  number  of 
Jews  in  it  was  large,  and  they  enjoyed  many  privileges. 
To  whom  were  Saul’s  letters  directed?  What  was  ho 
commissioned  to  do  ?  The  J ews  had  no  political  power  in 
Syria,  but  the  governor  favored  them  ; — what  proof  have 
we  of  this  ?  2  Cor.  xi.  32. 

3.  As  Saul  drew  near  Damascus,  exulting  in  his  power, 
lie  was  stopped  short  in  his  career ; — how  ? 

4.  What  was  the  effect  of  this  appearance  on  Saul  ?  A 
voice  of  majesty  addressed  him ; — what  appeal  did  it 
utter  ? 

5.  The  persecutor  was  overwhelmed.  He  recognized 
the  voice  as  one  of  a  celestial  personage ; — what  question 
did  he  ask  ?  The  answer  was  direct  and  plain ; — what 
was  it  ?  When  Christ  was  on  earth  he  taught  that  what 
was  done  to  his  people,  for  his  sake,  was  done  to  him. 
Where  is  this  recorded?  Matt.  xxv.  40.  The  voice  re¬ 
buked  Saul  by  the  use  of  a  well-known  proverb.  The 
meaning  of  it  is,  that  as  they  who  kick  against  goads,  or 
spikes,  only  wound  themselves,  so  Saul  was  injuring  him¬ 
self  by  his  persecution,  but  not  the  cause  of  Christ. 
What  is  the  proverb  ?  The  proverb  arose  from  the  fact, 
that  often  a  stubborn  ox,  urged  on  by  a  goad,  or  sharp- 
pointed  instrument  like  that  which  was  used  in  driving 
cattle,  would  kick  against  the  point  of  steel,  or  iron,  and 
wound  himself  without  injuring  the  driver. 

6.  The  pride  of  Saul  was  now  abased.  He  surrenders 
himself  at  once.  What  question  did  he  address  to  Je¬ 
sus  as  his  acknowledged  Lord  ?  How  does  that  question 
prove  his  submission  to  have  been  immediate  and  entire  ? 
Some  have  doubted  whether  sudden  conversions  are  ever 
real  and  lasting; — what  does  this  case  teach  us  on  that 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IX. 


71 


point  ?  Wliat  direction  did  Saul  receive  in  order  to  ascer¬ 
tain  his  duty  ?  It  was  Christ’s  will  that  Saul  should  be 
dependent  on  a  Christian  brother  for  further  communica¬ 
tions  ; — can  you  think  of  any  reasons  for  this  arrange¬ 
ment  ? 

7. -  Sudden  terror  often  takes  away  the  power  of  speech. 
It  had  this  effect  on  Saul’s  companions.  What  did  they 
hear  ?  Did  they  also  4 4  discern  the  form”  of  the  Son  of 
God  ?  From  Saul’s  own  account  of  this,  addressed  to  an 
assembly  of  Jews  (Acts  xxii.  9),  we  learn  two  additional 
particulars :  1.  The  men  who  were  with  him  saw  “  the 
light,”  but  not  the  form  in  the  midst  of  it ;  2.  They  heard 
a  sound,  or  voice,  but  understood  not  what  the  voice  ut¬ 
tered.  In  what  language  did  the  voice  speak  ?  Acts  xxvi. 
14.  The  “  light”  here  spoken  of  was  that  glory  of  the 
Lord  which  Stephen  saw  just  before  his  death.  Acts  vii. 
65.  Moreover,  it  is  believed  to  have  been  the  same  pecu¬ 
liar  manifestation  which  the  Jews  called  the  Shechinah , 
in  which  the  Lord  had  appeared  to  the  Israelites  in  an¬ 
cient  days.  Ex.  xiii.  21,  22;  Hab.  iii.  3,  4. 

8.  When  Saul  arose  from  the  earth  in  what  condition 
was  he  ?  The  supernatural  light  was  more  intense  in  its 
manifestation  to  Saul  than  to  the  rest  of  the  company ; — - 
what  proof  have  we  of  this  ?  He  entered  Damascus  in  a 
manner  different  from  that  which  he  had  expected.  He 
may  have  had  the  high  priest’s  commission  in  his  pocket, 
but  he  had  a  new  and  better  one  in  his  heart. 

9.  How  long  did  he  continue  blind?  Mental  anxiety 
took  away  his  desire  for  food.  How  long  did  he  fast  ? 

10.  What  Christian  citizen  of  Damascus  is  mentioned 
here  ?  How  did  Christ  reveal  himself  to  that  man  ?  The 
Greeks  have  a  tradition  that  this  person  was  one  of  “  the 
seventy-two  disciples.”  At  this  day  the  Christians  and 


72 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IX. 


Mohammedans  of  Damascus  assert  that  they  can  point 
out  the  place  of  his  residence. 

11.  What  direction  did  this  disciple  receive  ?  The 
street  here  mentioned  is  still  to  be  seen  at  Damascus.  In 
what  terms  did  our  Lord  announce  Saul’s  conversion  ? 
From  this  phrase  we  may  learn  that  there  is  a  great  dif¬ 
ference  between  “  saying  prayers”  and  praying  ; — why 
may  we  draw  this  inference  ? 

12.  Our  Lord  informed  his  disciple  that  the  way  had 
been  prepared  for  the  fulfillment  of  his  mission ; — in  what 
manner  had  this  been  done  ? 

13.  Ananias  was  astonished.  The  very  name  of  Saul 
was  terrible  to  him.  He  did  not  consider  at  once  what 
the  Lord  had  said  respecting  his  way  having  been  prepared. 
Whenever  God  bids  us  do  any  thing,  our  wisdom  appears 
in  obedience.  We  may  trust  in  him  to  remove  obstacles. 
How  did  Ananias  express  his  fear  ? 

14.  The  news  of  Saul’s  commission  had  already  reached 
Damascus; — how  does  this  appear?  How  does  Ananias 
denote  true  Christians  ?  This  proves  that  the  early 
Christians  habitually  worshiped  Christ ; — how  does  it 
prove  this  ?  It  may  be  well  to  observe  in  this  connection, 
that  seventy  years  after  the  death  of  Christ,  Pliny,  the 
Roman  governor  of  Bithynia,  wrote  to  the  emperor  Trajan 
respecting  Christians  this  official  report ;  “  Their  account 
is,  that  they  are  accustomed,  on  a  stated  day,  to  assemble 
before  sunrise,  and  to  join  together  in  singing  hymns  to 
Christ,  as  to  a  Deity,”  etc. 

15.  How  did  the  Lord  overrule  the  objections  of  Ananias  ? 
You  perceive  here  that  Saul’s  commission  was  that  of  a 
missionary  to  the  heathen.  How  did  he  afterward  speak 
of  this?  Gal.  i.  15,  16. 

16.  Saul  had  no  promise  of  ease  and  comfort  in  this 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IX. 


78 


world ; — what  prospect  was  opened  to  his  view  ?  How  did 
he  habitually  feel  in  regard  to  this  point  ?  Rom.  v.  3. 

17.  Ananias  obeyed.  How  did  he  address  Saul  ?  What 
change  in  his  state  of  mind  did  this  indicate  ?  How  did  he 
make  Saul  understand  who  was  meant  by  the  phrase,  “  the 
Lord.”  For  what  purposes  did  he  declare  himself  to  have 
been  sent  ?  What  symbol  did  he  use  to  express  his  author- 
ity  ? 

18.  What  benefit  did  Saul  immediately  receive  ?  In  the 
East  many  persons  have  been  affected  with  a  disease  of  the 
eye,  caused  by  excessive  light  and  heat.  The  humors  of 
the  eye  become  solid,  and  take  the  form  of  scales.  In  these 
cases,  however,  the  disease  and  cure  are  both  of  slow 
progress.  If  the  affection  of  Saul  were  of  this  nature,  its 
cause  and  cure  were,  nevertheless,  miraculous.  Just  as 
in  the  miracle  of  Cana,  Christ  did  by  a  word  what  God 
does  gradually  by  laws  of  nature- -that  is,  he  con¬ 
verted  water  into  a  liquid  bearing  all  the  properties  of 
the  “fruit  of  the  vine.”  When  Saul  received  his  sight, 
what  did  he  do  immediately  ?  What  command  had  Christ 
given  respecting  this  ? 

19.  His  mind  being  at  ease,  his  appetite  for  food  re¬ 
turned  ; — what  followed  ?  With  whom  did  he  now  asso¬ 
ciate  ?  Doubtless  there  was  great  joy  in  that  city.  A 
church  had  probably  been  formed  there,  and  he  who  had 
left  his  home  as  a  persecutor  now  sits  like  “  a  little  child” 
at  the  feet  of  Christian  brethren. 

20.  He  had  received  letters  to  the  officers  of  the  syna- 
gogues.  For  what  purpose  did  he  now  visit  them  ? 

21.  What  was  the  effect?  What  was  the  substance  of 
their  conversation  ? 

22.  The  Jews  resisted  his  words ; — how  did  he  meet 
them?  He  had  but  one  object- — what  was  that?  In 

4 


74 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IX. 


reasoning  with  Jews  whence  would  he  naturally  draw  his 
arguments  ?  How  had  his  education  fitted  him  for  that 
work  ?  With  what  feelings  did  Saul  prosecute  that  work  ? 
Rom.  i.  16,  and  Gal.  vi.  14.  Blessed  are  they  who  sym¬ 
pathize  with  him  in  this.  What  will  be  their  destiny  ?  2 
Tim.  iv.  7,  8. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Lesson  II. — 23-43. 

The  Conspiracy  against  Saul — His  Escape — His  Visit  to  Jerusalem—* 

His  Escape  to  Cesarea — Peace  among  the  Churches — Miracles 

of  Peter. 

23.  After  Saul’s  conversion  he  left  Damascus,  and  went 
into  another  country; — what  country  was  that?  Gal.  i.  17. 
Luke  gives  no  account  of  that  journey,  but  alludes  in  this 
verse  to  the  period  of  his  absence  by  saying,  “  after  many 
days  were  fulfilled.”  When  Saul  returned  to  Damascus 
a  plot  was  laid  against  him ; — by  whom  ?  For  what  pur¬ 
pose  ? 

24.  They  showed  great  patience  and  determination ; — 
how?  The  Jews  were  favored  in  their  schemes  by  the 
government  of  Damascus ; — who  was  the  ruler  in  power 
at  that  time  ?  2  Cor.  xi.  32. 

25.  Saul’s  foes  watched  the  gates ,  but  he  left  the  city 
without  passing  through  the  gates ; — how  was  this  done  ? 
A  similar  mode  of  escape  was  used  by  the  Israelitish  spies 
on  the  wall  of  Jericho.  Josh.  ii.  15.  In  walled  cities  it  has 
often  been  practiced  in  times  of  peril. 

26.  Three  years  had  now  elapsed  from  the  time  of  his 
conversion ; — where  did  he  go  ?  For  what  purpose  ?  Gal 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  IX, 


75 


i.  18.  In  that  city  the  terror  of  his  name  had  not  yet 
passed  away ; — how  did  the  disciples  feel  toward  him  ? 

27.  In  this  case  what  friendly  office  did  Barnabas  per¬ 
form  ?  To  what  apostles,  particularly,  did  Barnabas  pre¬ 
sent  Saul  ?  Gal.  i.  18,  19. 

28.  The  confidence  of  the  apostles  having  been  gained, 
on  what  terms  did  Saul  live  with  them  during  his  visit  ? 

29.  How  did  he  make  manifest  the  reality  of  his  conver¬ 
sion  ?  In  Jerusalem  there  were  many  Jews  who  had  been 
born  in  Grecian  cities,  and  who  used  the  Greek  language. 
Saul  was  familiar  with  this ; — what  use  did  he  make  of  it  ? 
As  they  could  not  overthrow  him  in  argument,  what  other 
method  did  they  try  ? 

30.  His  brethren  sought  a  refuge  for  him  in  a  city  of 
Palestine,  on  the  sea-coast,  where  the  Romans  would  pro¬ 
tect  him ; — what  city  is  that  ?  From  that  place  whither 
did  he  go  ? 

31.  At  the  beginning  of  this  book  we  read  of  4  4  the 
church,”  now  we  read  of  44  the  churches;” — what  countries 
did  they  chiefly  occupy  ?  What  blessing  did  they  enjoy  ? 
What  was  the  effect  of  it  ?  In  a  season  of  quiet  and  peace 
some  churches  become  indolent,  and  on  that  account  are 
diminished ; — how  was  it  with  the  early  churches  ?  As  to 
the  freedom  from  persecution  here  mentioned,  one  thing 
which  helped  the  Christians  was  this  :  the  Roman  emperor, 
Caligula,  a  whimsical  and  cruel  man,  commanded  that  his 
statue  should  be  placed  in  the  Jewish  temple,  in  the  inner 
sanctuary.  This  matter  so  engaged  the  attention  of  the 
Jews,  and  so  deeply  agitated  them,  that  their  spirit  of 
persecution  against  the  Christians  was  relaxed.  Thus  evil 
was  overruled  for  good. 

32.  Saul  having  returned  to  Tarsus,  the  historian  now 
leaves  him  for  a  time,  and  resumes  his  account  of  Peter. 


76 


ACTS.  CHAPTER  IX. 


On  one  of  his  missionary  journeys  he  visited  a  town  on  the 
Mediterranean  Sea,  twenty-two  miles  northwest  of  Jeru¬ 
salem; — what  was  its  name?  There  his  attention  was 
called  to  a  man  in  affliction ; — what  was  his  name  ?  What 
was  his  condition  ? 

33.  What  miracle  did  Peter  perform  ?  He  was  very 
careful  to  show  that  he  was  only  the  instrument ,  not  the 
author  of  the  work  ; — how  did  he  do  this  ?  What  did  Pe¬ 
ter  prove  by  this  work  ? 

34.  What  was  the  effect  of  this  miracle  ?  Saron  is  the 
same  as  Sharon,  mentioned  by  the  prophets  for  its  fertil¬ 
ity  and  beauty.  Isa.  xxxv.  2. 

36.  Not  far  from  Lydda  was  one  of  the  oldest  sea-ports 
of  the  world — the  place  whence  the  prophet  Jonah  sailed  on 
his  celebrated  voyage ; — what  w'as  it  called  ?  It  is  now 
called  Jaffa,  or  Iaffa.  Its  name  occurs  in  the  history  of 
the  crusades,  and  of  Napoleon’s  expedition  into  Syria. 
What  disciple  is  mentioned  as  a  resident  of  that  place  ? 
Her  name  is  given  both  in  Syriac  and  Greek.  The  En¬ 
glish  of  it  is  Gazelle ;  for  it  has  always  been  customary  in 
Eastern  lands  to  give  the  names  of  gentle  and  favorite  ani¬ 
mals  to  young  females.  What  was  the  character  of  this 
disciple  ? 

37.  She  became  sick  and  died; — what  preparation  had 
they  made  for  her  burial  ?  Care  was  taken  to  prevent 
premature  interment.  In  this  customary  washing  the 
modern  Jews,  in  the  East,  use  roses  and  chamomile  with 
the  water. 

38.  Lydda  was  about  six  miles  from  Joppa.  To  whom, 
in  Joppa,  did  the  disciples  of  Lydda  send  a  message? 
What  was  the  message  ?  As  yet  no  apostle  had  raised  the 
dead.  Perhaps,  however,  the  disciples  at  Lydda  knew 
that  the  power  to  do  it  had  been  promised  by  Christ  to  his 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 


•  t 

apostles.  They  did  not  ask  for  such  a  miracle ;  yet  it 
seems  that  they  did  not  think  the  case  beyond  the  reach 
of  hope. 

39.  How  did  Peter  treat  the  message  ?  Arrived  at  the 
house  of  mourning  where  did  they  lead  him  ?  There  was 
a  group,  not  of  hired,  but  of  sincere  mourners ; — of  whom 
was  it  composed  ?  How  did  they  express  their  regard  for 
Dorcas  ? 

40.  Peter’s  heart  was  moved.  He  wished  to  be  alone. 
Perhaps  he  desired,  by  prayer  and  supplication,  to  ascer¬ 
tain  the  will  of  God.  How  did  the  result  show  this  ? 

41.  Who  were  the  first  witnesses  of  this  miracle  ?  In 
those  days  all  Christians  were  called  “saints;” — why ? 
To  Dorcas  herself  a  return  to  life  in  this  world  was  no 
present  gain  ; — to  whom  was  it  so  ? 

42.  What  was  the  effect  of  this  miracle  ?  What  was  the 
design  of  the  miracles  ?  How  may  that  design  now  be  ac¬ 
complished  in  respect  to  ourselves  ?  Observe,  this  is  the 
last  of  the  miracles  of  mercy  wrought  in  Palestine  on  be¬ 
half  of  the  Jews.  The  gospel  was  now  going  forth  to  the 
Gentiles  or  Heathen,  and  the  other  miracles  of  which  we 
read  were  wrought  for  the  confirmation  of  the  gospel 
among  them. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Lesson  I. — 1-24. 

The  Roman  Centurion’s  Vision — His  Embassy  to  Peter — Peter’s 
Vision  Preparatory  to  his  Mission — His  Journey  to  Cesarea. 

1.  Hitherto  the  Christian  churches,  of  which  we  have 


I 

78  ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 

read  in  this  history,  were  composed  of  Jews.  Now  we 
read  of  the  first  Gentile  family  who  were  converted  and 
baptized.  Gentile  churches  are  now  numerous,  and  to 
consider  their  origin,  as  set  before  us  in  this  chapter,  is 
like  tracing  a  mighty  river  to  its  source.  A  Roman  cen¬ 
turion,  or  commander  of  a  hundred  soldiers,  is  here  men¬ 
tioned  ;  what  was  his  name  ?  The  family  of  the  Cornelii 
were  celebrated  in  Rome  What  was  his  band  or  com¬ 
pany  called  ? 

2.  This  man  was  not  an  idolater.  He  did  not  worship 
Jupiter  or  Mars,  like  other  Romans ; — what  is  said  of  his 
tjj^aracter  ?  The  use  of  money  is  a  test  of  character ; — 
what  is  said  of  him  on  this  point  ? 

3.  One  day,  about  three  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 
hour  of  public  evening  prayer,  he  heard  his  name  called 
aloud  ; — by  whom  ? 

4.  What  effect  did  this  sudden  appearance  produce  oil 
the  mind  of  the  centurion  ?  What  expression  of  surprise 
did  he  utter  ?  What  figurative  language  did  the  angel 
use  to  denote  the  acceptance  of  the  centurion’s  offerings  ? 

5.  To  introduce  Christianity  among  the  heathen  was  an 
errand  worthy  of  the  mission  of  an  angel.  Nevertheless 
Christ  had  not  appointed  angels  to  preach  the  gospel. 
What  direction,  therefore,  did  the  angel  give  ? 

6.  Where  was  Peter  at  this  time  ?  For  what  purpose 
was  Cornelius  to  send  for  him  ?  In  this  way  the  prayers 
of  Cornelius  were  answered.  Although  he  was  a  good 
man  he  had  much  to  learn,  and  he  valued  the  knowledge 
of  God  “  more  than  all  riches.” 

7.  In  obedience  to  the  angel  what  did  the  centurion 
immediately  do  ? 

8.  It  was  to  the  honor  of  Cornelius  to  have  such  men  in 
his  household ; — what  did  he  communicate  to  them  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 


79 


9.  About  noon  the  next  day  how  was  Peter  employed  ? 

10.  While  food  was  being  prepared  for  Peter  in  what 
extraordinary  condition  was  he  ?  Observe,  the  Greek 
word  translated  trance ds  that  one  from  which  comes  our 
English  word  extasy.  It  denotes  a  state  in  which  the 
mind  is  so  much  absorbed  in  objects  of  thought  that  the 
senses  are  suspended.  External  objects  are  not  perceived. 

11.  12.  While  Peter  was  in  this  state  what  objects  of 
contemplation  engaged  him  ? 

13.  What  command  came  to  Peter  ? 

14.  Under  the  influence  of  his  Jewish  education  Peter 
regarded  this  as  a  trial  of  his  fidelity ; — what,  therefore, 
did  he  reply  ?  On  what  ground  would  a  Jew  regard  these 
animals  as  unclean  ?  Lev.  xx.  25,  26. 

15.  The  celestial  voice  uttered  a  second  command ; — 
what  was  that  ?  A  greater  than  Moses  is  here.  The 
Lawgiver  declares  the  ceremonial  law  abolished.  The  old 
distinction  between  clean  and  unclean  meats,  between 
Jews  and  Gentiles,  was  here  set  aside.  Peter  so  under¬ 
stood  the  matter ;  and  no  wonder  that  he  did ,  for  the 
J ews  used  to  consider  unclean  animals  a  representation  of 
the  Gentiles. 

16.  How  often  was  the  vision  repeated  ? 

17.  God’s  providence  interpreted  the  meaning  of  the 
vision.  At  this  time  who  stood  at  Simon’s  gate  ? 

18.  For  whom  did  they  inquire  ? 

19.  The  fact  of  their  arrival  was  revealed  to  Peter ; — 

how  ? 

20.  What  reason  had  Peter  to  believe  that  the  errand 
of  these  messengers  would  give  the  right  interpretation  of 
the  vision  ? 

21.  In  what  manner  did  Peter  make  himself  known  to 
the  messengers  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 


8D; 

22.  Doubtless  tlie  messengers  were  now  assured  that 
the  hand  of  God  was  in  this  matter.  Probably  they  had 
said  one  to  another  at  the  gate,  4 4  Here  is  the  house  by  the 
sea-side ;  there  is  the  tan-yard — so  far  the  vision  is  true  ; 
now,  if  a  man  named  Simon  Peter  is  a  guest  here,  we  may 
be  sure  that  our  centurion  has  been  directed  by  an  angel.” 
What  did  they  say  of  the  character  of  Cornelius  ?  They 
indicated  to  Peter  that  he  was  not  an  idolater ; — how  ? 
What  revelation  did  they  say  that  Cornelius  had  received  ? 

23.  How  were  the  messengers  received  ?  When  did  they 
return  ?  Peter  knew  that  his  conduct  would  be  called  in 
question  by  scrupulous  Jews  ; — whom  did  he  take  as  wit¬ 
nesses  ? 

24.  When  did  they  reach  Cesarea  ?  Cornelius  had  strong 
confidence  that  his  messengers  would  return  immediately, 
and  that  Peter  would  be  with  them ; — how  did  he  show 
this  ?  He  not  only  desired  the  knowledge  of  salvation  for 
himself,  but  also  for  his  neighbors ; — how  did  he  show 
this  ?  He  manifested  the  same  ^spirit  as  Andrew  and 
Philip  when  they  first  found  the  Messiah ; — in  what  re¬ 
spect?  John  i.  41,  45.  True  religion  expands  the  heart. 
He  who  enjoys  it  wishes  all  to  share  it.  What  use  should 
we  make  of  the  example  of  Cornelius?  Observe  how 
willing  is  God  to  meet  the  desires  of  honest  and  earnest 
inquirers  after  truth ; — what  promise  is  given  to  such  per¬ 
sons  ?  Prov.  ii.  1-5.  What  promises  has  Christ  given  to 
them?  Matt.  vii.  7,  8. 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 


81 


CHAPTER  X. 

Lesson  II. — 25-48. 

Peter  refuses  to  receive  Homage — Calls  for  a  Statement  of  the  Rea¬ 
sons  which  led  Cornelius  to  send  for  him — Preaches  Jesus  a3  the 

Messiah — Recognizes  his  Audience  as  True  Converts. 

25.  As  Peter  entered  the  house  of  Cornelius  in  what 
manner  was  he  received  ? 

26.  Peter  intimates  that  Cornelius  thought  him  to  be 
more  than  a  man ; — how  does  he  do  this  ?  It  follows  from 
this  that  man-worship  is  wrong.  J esus  Christ  always  re¬ 
ceived  the  worship  that  was  offered  him.  Matt.  viii.  2,  3. 
Considering  this  in  connection  with  Peter’s  words  what 
may  we  infer  respecting  Christ  ? 

27.  Within  the  house  an  agreeable  scene  was  before  the 
eyes  of  Peter  ; — what  was  it  ? 

28.  To  what  well-known  fact  did  Peter  refer  as  he  be¬ 
gan  to  speak  ?  He  then  gave  the  true  interpretation  of 
the  vision  at  Joppa ; — what  was  it  i 

29.  Peter  did  not  wish  to  appear  to  any  of  the  assembly 
as  an  intruder ; — what  demand,  therefore,  did  he  make  ? 

30.  Who  answered  ?  He  is  very  particular  in  giving  an 
account  of  the  message  from  Heaven.  What  does  he  say 
as  to  the  tigrie  of  it  ?  How  was  he  engaged  ?  What  form 
did  the  angel  assume  ? 

31.  What  testimony  did  the  angel  bear  ? 

32.  What  direction  did  he  give  ? 

33.  How  did  the  centurion  express  his  welcome  to  Peter  ? 
How  did  he  state  the  object  of  the  meeting  ? 

4* 


82 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 


34.  Peter  begins  his  discourse  by  repeating  the  lesson 
taught  by  the  vision ; — in  what  form  does  he  now  express 
it  ?  The  apostle  had  once  thought  differently ; — in  what 
respect  ? 

35.  Peter  now  asserts  the  Christian  doctrine  in  opposi¬ 
tion  to  the  Jewish  ; — what  is  that  ?  Jesus  had  taught  the 
same  truth  to  a  Samaritan ; — in  what  words  ?  John  iv.  22- 
24.  Jesus  had  foretold  the  triumph  of  this  truth  over 
Judaism ; — when  ?  Matt.  viii.  10-12.  From  these  words 
of  Jesus  what  shall  we  infer  respecting  those  who  have 
the  true  light,  and  yet  reject  or  slight  it  ? 

36.  To  whom  does  Peter  say  that  the  word  of  the  gospel 
was  first  sent  ?  What  is  the  character  of  this  gospel  ? 
Paul  taught  the  same  doctrine ; — where  ?  Epli.  ii.  12-14. 
The  Jews  had  taught  that  the  true  Messiah  was  to  be  only 
for  them  ; — what  does  Peter  teach  on  that  point  ? 

37.  Where  does  Peter  say  the  gospel  was  published? 
About  what  time  did  this  publication  commence  ? 

38.  The  word  Messiah,  or  Christ,  means  “  the  anointed 
one.”  Prophets,  priests,  and  kings  received  the  sacred 
unction.  The  promised  Saviour,  the  great  Prophet,  Priest, 
and  King,  was  God’s  Messiah; — how  was  he  said  to  be 
anointed  ?  How  was  this  exhibited  at  the  time  of  his 
baptism  ?  What  did  Isaiah  say  respecting  this  sacred 
anointing?  Isa.  lxi.  1.  How  does  Peter  describe  the  life 
of  Jesus? 

39.  Cornelius  had  heard  rumors  of  these  things  which 
Jesus  did;  now  he  hears  better  testimony; — what  was 
that?  In  the  view  of  a  Roman  crueifixiop  was  a  great 
disgrace  ;  Peter  does  not  conceal  it ; — what  does  he  say  ? 

40.  Nevertheless,  how  did  God  vindicate  the  character 
of  “  the  crucified  one  ?” 

41.  Who  were  the  witnesses  of  this  great  fact  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  X. 


83 


42.  Peter  now  states  his  authority  as  a  preacher; — 
from  whom  was  it  received  ?  He  was  to  make  known  the 
majesty  of  Christ ;  —  in  what  character  ?  The  apostle 
speaks  of  the  whole  human  race  as  being  destined  to 
meet  Christ  in  judgment; — how  does  he  express  this  idea? 

43.  The  religion  of  the  Old  Testament  consisted  mainly 
in  believing  in  a  “  Messiah  to  come  ;” — how  does  the  apostle 
express  this  ?  What  great  benefit  is  received  through 
faith  in  the  true  Messiah  ?  This  is  the  greatest  of  all 
blessings.  He  who  has  this  is  rich  indeed.  Observe  now 
the  great  truths  preached  by  Peter  in  this  first  sermon  to 
a  heathen  audience.  Review  them.  1.  In  the  sight  of 
God  the  people  of  all  nations  are  placed  on  a  moral  level ; 
— where  is  this  expressed  ?  2.  The  life  and  works  of  Je¬ 
sus  proved  his  Messiahship ; — how  is  this  taught  ?  3.  The 
Messiah,  risen  from  the  dead,  is  to  be  the  final  judge  of  * 
all ; — in  what  words  is  this  declared  ?  4.  Through  faith 
in  his  name  salvation  is  offered  to  all ; — how  is  this  de¬ 
clared  ?  Peter  closes  his  sermon  with  the  doctrine  of 

justification  by  faith.” 

44.  The  apostle’s  preaching  was  confirmed  by  marvelous 
influences,  which  remind  us  of  the  day  of  Pentecost; — in 
what  manner  ? 

45.  The  signs  were  obvious  to  all.  Here  was  proof  that 
'‘God  is  no  respecter  of  persons.”  How  were  the  Chris¬ 
tian  Jews  affected  when  they  saw  this  ? 

46.  What  were  the  signs  of  this  miraculous  influence  ? 

47.  As  God  himself  acknowledged  these  persons  to  be 
Christians,  Peter  declares  that  they  ought  to  be  acknowl¬ 
edged  by  man  as  such ; — how  does  he  express  this  ? 

48.  In  what  manner  did  he  command  this  acknowledg¬ 
ment  to  be  made?  What  did  the  reception  of  this  rite 
declare  to  all  ?  Gal.  iii.  27.  This  was  a  good  profession. 


84 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XL  ' 


Is  it  the  duty  of  all  to  make  it  in  sincerity  ?  Acts-  ii.  38. 
Why  ?  Matt,  xxviii.  19,  20. 


CHAPTEE  XI. 

Lessen. — 1-30. 

Peter’s  Defense  of  his  Conduct — Effect— Conversion  of  Heathen— 

The  name  of  “  Christian” — Christian  Prophets — Christian  Benevo¬ 
lence. 

1.  The  last  chapter  contained  an  account  of  the  intro¬ 
duction  of  the  Gentiles  into  the  Christian  church.  For 
two  thousand  years  the  distinction  between  Jew  and  Gen¬ 
tile  had  been  kept  up,  but  now  the  middle  wall  of  partition 
is  broken  down.  This  event  was  accomplished  under  the 
ministration  of  Peter.  Who  heard  of  this  remarkable  pro¬ 
ceeding  ? 

2.  On  this  point  who  contended  with  Peter  ? 

3.  Of  what  did  they  complain  ?  This  shows  that  they 
did  not  regard  Peter  as  a  pope. 

4.  Peter  was  not  offended.  How  did  he  defend  his  con¬ 
duct  ?  What  lesson  may  we  draw  from  this  ? 

5.  At  what  point  did  he  begin  his  narrative  ? 

6.  He  speaks  of  having  been  thoroughly  engrossed  with 
the  matter  how  does  he  express  this  ? 

7.  What  does  he  say  of  the  message  from  heaven  ? 

8.  He  shows  his  Jewish  brethren  that  his  views  had 
been  the  same  as  theirs ; — how  ? 

9.  How  does  he  say  that  his  scruples  were  removed  ? 

10.  What  does  he  say  of  the  repetition  of  the  revelation  ? 

11.  How  did  God’s  providence  begin  the  interpretation 
of  it  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XL 


86 


12.  Under  what  authority  did  he  act  ?  How  many  wit¬ 
nesses  did  he  take  with  him  ? 

13.  What  was  done  in  Cesarea  to  correspond  with  what 
was  done  in  Joppa  ? 

14.  How  did  the  angel  characterize  the  gospel  ? 

15.  He  declares  that  the  miracle  of  Pentecost  was  re¬ 
peated  ; — how  does  he  denote  this  ? 

16.  What  words  of  Christ  came  to  his  memory  ?  Why 
were  these  miraculous  impartations  of  the  Spirit  compared 
to  a  baptism  ?  Acts  ii.  2-4. 

17.  Having  given  a  simple  statement  of  the  facts,  what 
appeal  does  he  make  ? 

18.  How  did  the  objectors  answer  this  appeal  ?  What 
feelings  did  their  words  imply  ?  Here  it  may  be  well  to 
recollect  that  Christ  had  denoted  the  apostolical  work  of 
Peter  in  figurative  terms,  by  saying,  “  I  give  unto  thee 
the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.”  Peter  had  turned 
one  of  these  keys  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  admitted 
the  Jews ;  he  had  turned  the  other  at  Cesarea,  and  had 
admitted  the  Gentiles. 

19.  The  historian  having  informed  us  of  the  introduction 
of  Christianity  among  the  heathen,  now  pursues  the  sub¬ 
ject  to  the  close  of  the  book,  and  proceeds  to  inform  us  of 
the  rise  of  the  first  church,  which  was  formed  of  Grecian 
converts.  It  was  cradled  by  a  storm  of  persecution ; — what 
persecution  was  it  ?  What  church  did  it  scatter  abroad  ? 
To  what  places  did  they  go  ?  Phenice  lay  along  the  coast  of 
Syria,  north  of  Galilee,  on  the  Mediterranean  Sea.  Cyprus 
was  an  island  in  the  Mediterranean,  off  the  coast  of  Cilicia. 
Antioch  was  the  capital  of  Syria,  a  splendid  city  situated 
on  the  Orontes.  It  was  distinguished  for  religious  liberty, 
that  is,  the  free  exercise  of  all  religions.  On  this  account 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XI. 


it  was  a  good  place  of  refuge.  Here  the  exiled  Christians 
preached  the  gospel ; — to  whom  ? 

20.  But  a  number  of  Cyprian  and  Cyrenean  Christians 
pursued  a  different  course ; — in  what  respect  ?  These 
men,  having  always  been  accustomed  to  mingle  with 
Gentiles,  when  they  found  44  an  open  door”  at  Antioch, 
could  not  but  seize  their  opportunity.  Cyrene  was  a 
Roman  colony  on  the  coast  of  Africa;  the  Greek  language, 
however,  was  familiar  to  the  men  of  Cyrene,  as  well  as 
of  Cyprus.  You  perceive  that  these  traveling  Christians 
did  not  leave  their  religion  at  hofiie ; — what  proof  is  there 
of  this  ? 

21.  What  proof  did  these  disciples  have  that  God  ap¬ 
proved  their  work  ?  The  event  was  astonishing,  just  as 
much  so  as  if  in  our  day  a  multitude  of  Eastern  Brahmins 
should  be  converted  under  the  first  sermons  of  an  American 
missionary.  In  such  a  case  to  what  power  should  we 
attribute  the  result  ? 

22.  The  news  of  the  event  flew  abroad ; — who  were  par¬ 
ticularly  interested  in  hearing  it  ?  Whom  did  they  send 
to  Antioch  ?  This  man  was  a  resident  of  Cyprus,  and  yet 
of  Levitical  origin.  On  these  accounts  he  was  particularly 
adapted  to  this  mission ; — why  ? 

23.  When  he  reached  Antioch  he  was  not  disappointed  ; 
— how  did  he  evidently  feel  ?  What  occasioned  these 
emotions  ?  He  knew  that  the  converts  would  encounter 
many  difficulties ; — to  what  did  he  therefore  urge  them  ? 
There  is  great  power  in  a  decided  resolution,  when  con¬ 
nected  with  right  feeling.  These  two  united  form  a  strong 
character. 

24.  What  kind  of  a  man  was  Barnabas  ?  Doubtless  he 
had  many  fine  natural  gifts,  but  his  eminence  did  not 
spring  from  these ; — what  proof  have  we  of  this  ?  No  man 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XI. 


87 


has  native  goodness  enough  to  save  him ; — by  what  are 
saved  ?  When  the  gifts  of  grace  are  added  to  those  of  na¬ 
ture  we  see  a  useful  and  successful  Christian ; — why  was 
Barnabas  an  illustration  of  this  ? 

25.  Barnabas  desired  help  in  this  mission,  and  evidently 
needed  a  Jewish  Christian  accustomed  to  intercourse  with 
the  heathen  ; — whom,  therefore,  did  he  seek  ?  Bo  you  see 
the  special  wisdom  of  this  choice  ?  What  was  it  that  had 
caused  Saul  to  leave  Jerusalem  and  return  to  his  native 
city  ?  In  view  of  that  fact,  why  was  Antioch  an  inviting 
field  ? 

26.  How  long  did  these  two  labor  together  at  Antioch  ? 
With  whom  did  they  co-operate  ?  Any  one  who  considers 
the  condition  of  those  brought  up  under  the  corruptions 
of  heathenism,  will  see  that  these  two  teachers  had  enough 
to  do ; — in  what  respects  ?  What  new  name  did  the  fol¬ 
lowers  of  Jesus  here  receive  ?  They  had  been  accustomed 
to  call  each  other  disciples ,  believers ,  saints ,  brethren; 
the  Jews  had  called  them  Nazar enes  and  Galileans ; — by 
whom,  then,  was  this  new  name  probably  given? 

27.  To  the  Christians  of  Jerusalem  Antioch  became  a 
place  of  great  attraction ; — what  indication  do  we  see  of 
this  here  mentioned  ? 

28.  One  of  these  brethren  is  mentioned  by  name ; — 
whom?  What  did  he  prophesy?  How  did  he  become 
possessed  of  his  knowledge  ?  When  was  his  prophecy 

fulfilled  ? 

29.  History  shows  us  that  the  calamity  raged  especially 
in  Judea.  To  whom  did  the  Christians  of  Antioch  resolve 
to  send  relief  ?  To  what  extent  was  this  resolution 
adopted  ?  By  what  rule  did  each  man  determine  his 
amount  of  contribution  ? 

30.  They  were  not  content  with  votes  or  resolutions  ; — 


88 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XII. 


how  much  further  did  they  go  ?  Whom  did  they  employ 
as  almoners  ?  The  disciples  of  Antioch  had  not  received 
money  or  temporal  blessings  from  Jerusalem,  but  what 
greater  benefits  did  they  thus  acknowledge  ?  These  latter 
blessings  constitute  “  the  true  riches — how  does  Christ 
bid  us  estimate  their  value  ?  Matt.  vi.  19,  20.  Every  man 
should  seek  these  for  himself ; — when  ?  Matt.  vi.  33. 
These  blessings  are  enduring ,  and  when  we  receive  the 
gospel  we  obtain  all  in  one.  What  does  the  apostle  Petej^ 
teach  on  this  point  ?  1  Pet.  i.  24,  25. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Lesson. — 1-23. 

King  Herod’s  Persecution  of  the  Church — Death  of  James — Imprison¬ 
ment  and  Deliverance  of  Peter — God’s  Judgment  on  Herod — Spread 
of  the  Gospel. 

1.  The  course  of  the  narrative  now  returns  to  the 
church  at  Jerusalem; — under  whose  dominion  was  the 
country  at  that  time  ?  This  man  was  grandson  of  Herod 
the  Great,  who  sought  to  destroy  “  the  babe  of  Bethlehem” 
— nephew  to  Herod  Antipas,  who  beheaded  John  the  Bap¬ 
tist — the  brother  of  Herodias,  who  bade  her  daughter  ask 
for  the  head  of  John,  and  father  of  Agrippa,  who  heard 
Paul’s  celebrated  discourse.  This  Herod  had  obtained  the 
favor  of  the  Roman  emperor,  and  now,  having  been  made 
king  over  his  grandfather’s  dominions,  the  power  of  the 
Herodian  family  was  concentrated  in  him.  Jewish  blood 
ran  in  his  veins,  and  it  pleased  the  Jews  to  be  ruled  by 
him  rather  than  by  a  Roman  procurator.  How  did  he 
treat  the  Christian  church  ? 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XII. 


2.  What  apostle  did  he  murder  ?  In  what  manner  ? 
Crucifixion  was  a  Roman  punishment  *  and  the  Jews  did 
not  practice  it. 

3.  How  did  this  martyrdom  affect  the  Jews?  How  did 
Herod  show  his  sympathy  with  them  ?  Herod  cherished 
the  nation’s  prejudices,  but  was  chiefly  influenced  by  his 
love  of  popularity.  The  Jewish  Sanhedrim  had  failed  in 
all  their  efforts  against  Peter,  and  they  were  glad  to  see  a 
king  try  his  hand  in  the  work  of  persecution.  It  was  now 
the  spring  of  the  year,  about  the  month  of  April; — how  do 
we  know  this  ?  What  kind  of  bread  was  then  used  ?  Ac¬ 
cording  to  what  law  ?  Ex.  xii.  15. 

4.  Herod  would  not  interrupt  a  religious  solemnity  by 
a  public  execution ; — on  that  account  what  did  he  do  with 
Peter  ?  To  whose  care  did  he  intrust  him  ?  A  quaternion 
was  a  guard  of  four  soldiers  ; — how  many  men  were  set  to 
watch  the  apostle  ?  Herod  expected  to  enjoy  a  grand  dis¬ 
play  of  his  royal  power  after  the  Passover.  The  word 
Easter  ought  not  to  have  had  any  place  in  the  English 
translation.  It  is  an  old  Anglo-Saxon  term,  first  applied 
to  a  heathen  festival  which  was  celebrated  in  the  month 
of  April,  and  was  afterward  applied  in  England  to  a 
Christian  festival,  celebrated  in  honor  of  the  resurrection, 
about  the  same  time  of  the  year. 

5.  The  church  in  Jerusalem  was  in  great  distress  on 
Peter’s  account ;  nevertheless,  they  offered  no  petition  for 
him  to  the  king  or  council ; — what  did  they  do  for  him  ? 

6.  The  time  set  for  the  public  execution  of  Peter  drew 
near.  During  the  previous  night  how  was  he  guarded  ? 
In  a  quaternion  of  soldiers,  two  of  them  were  fastened  to  the 
prisoner,  and  two  kept  the  door.  In  what  manner  did 
Peter  pass  the  night?  We  have  read  of  one  period  when 
Peter  could  not  sleep  even  on  the  softest  couch,  but tc  wept 


90 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XII. 


bitterly now  he  can  sleep  in  a  dungeon  How  can  we 
account  for  this  difference  ? 

7.  Then  one  entered  the  prison  without  asking  leave  of 
the  king  or  guard ; — who  was  this  ?  What  supernatural 
sign  accompanied  him?  How  did  he  rouse  the  apostle 
from  his  slumber  ?  What  did  he  bid  him  do  ?  The  chains 
were  not  wrenched  off ; — what  became  of  them  ? 

8.  Peter  obeyed  the  command,  but  now  he  is  prevented 
from  acting  in  too  great  haste  ; — how  ?  What  further  di¬ 
rection  was  given  ? 

9.  Peter  was  so  astonished  that  he  could  scarcely  credit 
his  senses ; — how  is  this  denoted  ? 

10.  When  they  passed  two  wards,  or  guards,  to  what 
did  they  come  ?  What  miracle  was  witnessed  here  ?  No 
human  hand  was  seen ; — what  power  was  manifest  ?  The 
angel’s  mission  was  soon  fulfilled; — where  did  he  leave 
Peter  ?  The  light  of  the  moon  was  now  sufficient  to  guide 
the  steps  of  Peter  ; — what  reason  have  we  to  think  so  ? 

11.  When  Peter  recovered  his  self-possession  he  knew 
that  this  was  not  a  trance,  like  that  at  Joppa; — to  what 
conclusion  did  he  arrive  ? 

12.  He  paused  to  reflect ; — to  what  house  did  he  then 
proceed  ?  Who  were  assembled  there  ?  The  lady  of  this 
house  was  a  sister  of  Barnabas.  How  does  this  appear  ? 
Col.  iv.  10. 

13.  As  Peter  knocked  at  the  outer  gate,  a  confidential 
member  of  the  household  came  to  listen ; — who  was  this  ? 

14.  Those  who  heard  the  rnps  at  the  gate  at  that  hour 
probably  supposed  that  an  officer  of  Herod  was  there. 
What  a  happy  surprise  followed !  What  effect  did  it  pro¬ 
duce  ? 

15.  How  did  those  within  the  house  answer  Rhoda's 
message?  Her  words  and  manner  soon  convinced  them 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XII. 


91 


that  some  extraordinary  thing  had  occurred  ; — what  was 
their  conjecture  ?  It  was  a  common  belief  that  each  per¬ 
son  has  a  guardian  angel,  who  can  assume  his  appearance 
and  speak  in  similar  tones  of  voice.  Many  suppose  that 
their  expression  sprung  from  this  belief.  Probably,  how¬ 
ever,  they  meant  to  express  the  apprehension  that  Peter 
was  already  dead,  and  that  this  was  his  apparition. 

16.  Nevertheless,  the  knocking  continued; — what  fol¬ 
lowed  ? 

IT.  Doubtless  their  expressions  of  joy  were  loud  and 
impassioned ; — how  did  Peter  calm  them  ?  What  informa¬ 
tion  did  he  give  them  ?  He  remembered  the  absent,  and 
wished  to  encourage  them ; — how  did  he  show  this  ?  To 
whom  did  he  especially  refer  ?  This  was  the  son  of  Al- 
pheus,  author  of  the  epistle,  and  called  by  Paul,  in  his 
Epistle  to  the  Galatians,  one  of  the  “  pillars  ”  among  the 
apostles. 

18.  The  narrative  now  returns  to  the  prison,  where  the 
astonishment  was  as  great  as  that  at  the  nouse  of  Mary ; 
— what  was  the  subject  of  warm  discussion  ? 

19.  In  what  did  the  efforts  of  the  king  fail  ?  He  would 
not  allow  that  God  had  interposed  by  a  miracle  to  favor 
the  Christians ; — on  whom  did  he  lay  the  blame  ?  How 
did  he  gratify  his  vengeance  ?  About  this  time  he  had 
occasion  to  go  to  Cesarea.  This  is  mentioned  in  order  to 
introduce  the  narrative  of  Herod’s  death. 

20.  With  whom  had  Herod  been  displeased  ?  They 
were  devoted  to  commerce,  not  to  agriculture ; — whence 
did  they  procure  their  food  ?  They  had  no  desire  for 
war ; — by  what  means  did  they  dispose  Herod’s  mind  to 
peace  ?  Peace  was  best  for  both  parties,  as  these  sea-ports 
opened  a  market  for  the  produce  of  Herod’s  territory. 

21.  On  this  occasion  Herod  made  a  great  display ; — in 


92 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIII. 


what  manner  ?  He  boasted  of  his  own  magnanimity. 
The  Tyrians  and  Sidonians  knew  his  vanity,  and  answered 
in  shouts  of  flattery ; — what  did  they  exclaim  ? 

22.  This  idolatry  pleased  Herod ; — how  was  it  punished  ? 
Josephus  tells  us  that  he  exclaimed,  “I,  your  God,  am 
ordered  to  depart  this  life.”  What  was  the  nature  of  his 
disease?  It  was  so  sudden,  direct,  and  extraordinary, 
that  all  regarded  it  as  a  judgment  of  God.  How  did  it 
end  ?  Behold !  a  king  is  conquered  by  worms.  His  mag¬ 
nificence  is  turned  into  corruption. 

23.  What  followed  the  death  of  Herod  ? 

24.  What  is  mentioned  of  Barnabas  and  Saul  ?  In  these 
events  what  Scripture  was  fulfilled  ?  Ps.  Ixxvi.  10. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Lesson  I. — 1-16. 

Paul  and  Barnabas  sent  forth  on  a  Mission  to  the  Heathen — Preach 
in  the  Isle  of  Cyprus — Visit  Paphos — A  Sorc-erer  Struck  with  Blind¬ 
ness — Sergius  Paulus  Converted — Paul  Preaches  at  Antioch,  in 
Pisidia 

1.  A  new  era  here  commences.  A  Christian  church 
engages  in  the  work  of  sending  missionaries  to  the  hea¬ 
then.  What  church  is  spoken  of  in  this  verse  ?  It  was 
highly  endowed  with  gifts ; — what  class  of  persons  were  in 
it  ?  Who  is  the  first  mentioned  in  the  list  ?  Bo  you  re¬ 
member  of  what  place  he  had  been  a  resident  ?  Who  is 
the  second  ?  He  is  believed  by  many  to  have  been  that 
Cyrenian  who  shared  the  weight  of  the  cross  with  Jesus 
on  his  way  to  Calvary.  Luke  xxiii.  26.  The  third  one 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIII. 


98 


here  mentioned  was  a  Cyrenian,  that  is,  a  man  of  Cyrene, 
on  the  coast  of  Africa ; — what  was  his  name  ?  The  fourth 
had  been  a  schoolfellow,  or  companion,  with  Herod  Anti- 
pas,  tetrarch  of  Galilee ; — what  was  his  name  ?  The  fifth 
was  one  whose  history  we  have  already  considered.  The 
arrangement  of  names  is  probably  in  the  order  of  age,  as 
is  suggested  by  the  editor  of  Calmet. 

2.  While  these  men  were  engaged  in  religious  worship 
what  command  was  given  by  the  Holy  Spirit  concerning 
two  of  them  ? 

3.  These  men  were  called  of  God  to  be  missionaries  to 
the  heathen ; — in  what  manner  was  this  call  recognized  by 
the  church  ?  Of  what  was  laying  on  of  hands  the  sign  ? 
We  read  of  fasting  here  as  well  as  in  other  places  in  the 
New  Testament;  but  we  have  read  nothing  of  fasting  by 
rule,  of  fasting  on  Fridays,  or  forty  days  during  Lent,  or 
eating  fish  instead  of  flesh.  The  early  Christians  fasted 
whenever  they  thought  that  fasting  would  be  profitable  as 
an  aid  to  devotion.  What  did  Christ  say  on  this  subject  ? 
Matt.  ix.  14,  15 ;  Matt.  vi.  16-18. 

4.  Although  the  church  set  apart  these  missionaries, 
whence  was  it  that  their  commission  came  ?  What  do  we 
learn  from  this  respecting  the  personality  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  ?  The  missionaries  immediately  left  Antioch  for 
the  sea-port,  fifteen  miles  distant ; — what  is  it  called  ?  To 
what  island  did  they  sail  ? 

5.  They  landed  at  a  port  on  the  southeast  part  of  the 
island; — what  is  it  called?  Where  did  they  preach  the 
word  of  God  ?  In  order  that  they  might  give  themselves 
to  their  work  they  took  with  them  one  who  could  attend  to 
their  secular  affairs ; — who  was  this  ?  What  relation  was 
he  to  Barnabas  ?  Col.  iv.  10. 

6.  They  traveled  across  the  island  to  the  western  coast  x 


94 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIII. 


— to  what  place  did  they  come  ?  It  was  the  residence  of 
the  Roman  proconsul.  They  were  met  there  by  a  magi¬ 
cian  ; — of  what  nation  ?  He  was  called  after  the  name  of 
his  father ; — what  was  that  ? 

7.  With  whom  was  this  fortune-teller  staying?  This 
proconsul  was  a  sensible  man,  who  desired  to  obtain  a 
knowledge  of  the  true  religion.  It  is  probable  that  he 
had  regarded  this  J ewish  magician  as  able  to  give  him  in¬ 
formation  respecting  the  Jewish  religion.  When  he  heard 
that  two  religious  teachers  had  arrived  what  did  he  do  ? 
From  what  motive  ? 

8.  We  have  here  the  sorcerer’s  name  in  Arabic; — what 
is  it  ?  He  was  jealous  of  the  apostles’  influence  over  the 
Roman  governor ; — on  that  account  what  did  he  do  ? 

9.  As  Saul  is  now  among  Romans,  Luke  mentions  the 
Roman  form  Df  his  name  ; — what  was  that  ?  This  differ¬ 
ent  mode  of  pronouncing  names  is  common  in  our  day; 
thus  the  English  name  John  is  called  by  the  French  Jean, 
and  by  the  Hutch  Hans.  Toward  the  sorcerer  it  was  nec¬ 
essary  for  Paul  to  use  great  severity  ; — under  what  influ¬ 
ence  did  he  speak  to  him  ? 

10.  He  described  the  character  of  Elymas  by  four  severe 
epithets ; — what  were  they  ?  Of  what  kind  of  misrepre¬ 
sentation  does  Paul  accuse  Elymas  ? 

11.  We  are  all  bound  to  be  careful  not  to  judge  others 
harshly.  But  Paul  knew  this  man’s  character,  and  now 
he  shows  that  God  approved  his  judgment ; — how  ?  What 
calamity  followed  ?  How  did  Elymas  show  that  this  ca¬ 
lamity  was  real  ?  Such  blindness  does  not  always  follow 
the  perversion  of  religious  truth,  but  blindness  of  another 
kind  often  does  ; — of  what  kind  is  that  ?  2  Cor.  iv.  4. 

12.  What  effect  had  this  miracle  on  the  Roman  procon¬ 
sul  ?  He  saw  that  Paul’s  sentence  was  not  an  imprecation 


Acts,  chapter  xiii. 


95 


of  vengeance ; — how,  then,  must  he  have  regarded  it  ? 
Paul’s  severe  sentence  is  not  recorded  for  our  imitation ; 
— why  not  ?  If  men  now  pervert  the  truth,  or  oppose  it, 
they  may  not  suffer  a  punishment  like  that  of  Ely  mas  ; — 
of  what,  however,  are  they  in  danger?  2  Thess.  ii.  11,  12. 

13.  Paul  and  his  company  left  Paphos.  They  left  Ely- 
mas  blind  and  Sergius  enlightened.  They  sailed  away 
from  the  isle  of  Cyprus,  and  came  to  the  first  port  on  the 
continent  of  Europe; — what  was  its  name?  Here  John 
Mark  left  them ; — where  did  he  go  ?  He  was  again  with 
Paul,  after  some  time,  as  a  fellow-worker ; — what  proof  is? 
there  of  this  ?  Col.  iv.  10,  11 ;  2  Tim.  iv.  11. 

14.  The  two  who  had  set  out  together  from  Antioch,  in 
Syria,  now  came  to  another  Antioch ; — where  was  that? 
There  were  many  Jews  here; — what  proof  is  there  of  it? 
On  the  Saturday  after  their  arrival  where  did  Paul  and 
Barnabas  go  ? 

15.  The  Jewish  law  was  read  publicly.  It  was  divided 
into  fifty-two  sections,  in  order  that  the  whole  might  be 
read  in  a  year.  After  the  lesson  of  the  day  what  invita¬ 
tion  did  Paul  and  Barnabas  receive  ?  From  whom  did  it 
come?  The  strangers  were  recognized  as  Jews;— what 
proof  is  there  of  this  ? 

16.  Paul  was,  doubtless,  glad  of  the  invitation,  for  he 
loved  to  preach  the  gospel.  Having  waved  his  hand  so  as 
to  invite  the  attention  of  all,  how  did  he  commence  his 
discourse  ?  His  style  of  address  was  adapted  to  gain  the 
favor  of  his  audience ; — why  ?  It  was  Paul’s  delight  to 
preach  to  the  Gentiles ; — yet  how  did  he  feel  toward  the 
Jews?  Bom.  x.  1.  What  did  he  regard  as  his  peculiar 
mission  ?  Rom.  xv.  16.  The  conversion  of  the  heathen, 
which  was  the  great  work  commenced  by  Peter,  Paul,  and 
Barnabas,  is  still  to  be  carried  forward.  If  we  are  Chris- 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIII. 


9i3 

tians  indeed,  we  will  be  careful  to  do  our  share  in  rela¬ 
tion  to  it. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Lesson  II. — 17-62. 

Paul’s  Sermon  in  the  Synagogue  at  Antioch,  in  Pisidia — Public  Atten¬ 
tion  awakened — Opposition  of  the  Jews— Persecution. 

17.  Like  Stephen,  Paul  begins  his  sermon  with  Jewish 
history.  To  what  patriarchs  did  he  refer,  as  the  founders 
of  the  nation?  In  what  land  did  the  people  dwell  as 
strangers  ?  What  did  God  then  do  for  them  ?  What 
figure  is  here  used  to  denote  God’s  power  ?  By  whom 
was  the  deliverance  here  spoken  of  accomplished  ? 

18.  After  being  delivered-  whither  did  the  people  go  ? 
How  long  did  they  remain  there  ?  Why  did  they  remain 
so  long  ?  Deut.  viii.  2,  8.  The  afflictions  to  which  we  are 
subjected  are  designed  for  a  similar  purpose ; — how  should 
we  regard  them  ?  Heb.  xii.  5,  6. 

19.  How  many  nations  were  subdued  in  Canaan  ?  What 
was  the  character  of  these  nations  ?  Deut.  xviii.  10-12. 
After  these  conquests,  how  was  the  land  divided  ? 

20.  In  those  ages  what  kind  of  government  prevailed  in 
Israel  ?  Who  was  the  last  of  this  class  of  rulers  ? 

21.  The  people  desired  a  change  in  the  mode  of  govern¬ 
ment  ; — how  was  it  brought  about  ?  1  Sam.  viii.  4,  6.  Who 
was  the  first  king  ?  How  long  did  he  reign  ? 

22.  Who  succeeded  Saul  on  the  throne  of  Israel  ?  Why 
did  God  remove  Saul  ?  1  Sam.  xv.  23.  What  testimony  did 
God  give  respecting  David  ?  Observe,  this  testimony  respect¬ 
ing  David  refers  to  his  official  character  as  king.  He  guided 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIII. 


97 


the  government  by  the  divine  law,  and  opposed  all  idolatry ; 
but  when  in  private  life  he  did  wrong,  God  expressed  his 
displeasure  against  him.  From  what  employment  was 
David  exalted  to  the  throne  ?  Ps.  Ixxviii.  70-72. 

23.  The  Jews  all  understood  that  the  Messiah  was  to  be 
a  descendant  of  David ; — what  did  they  testify  on  this 
point  ?  Matt.  xxii.  42.  What  promise  of  a  perpetual  king¬ 
dom  was  given  to  David  ?  2  Sam.  vii.  16.  Christ,  who  was 
of  the  line  of  David,  was  a  king  and  is  now  a  dang ; — in 
what  sense,  temporal  or  spiritual  ? 

24.  Who  went  before  Christ  to  prepare  his  way  ?  How 
did  he  do  it  ? 

25.  As  the  herald  fulfilled  his  work,  some  suspected  that 
he  was  the  Messiah ; — what  was  his  testimony  on  that  point  ? 

26.  Paul  now  makes  his  appeal  to  the  whole  of  the 
audience,  first  to  the  J ews  ; — what  did  he  call  them  ?  He 
includes  also  the  Gentiles ; — in  what  way  ?  What  does  he 
call  the  gospel  ? 

27.  He  speaks  of  the  crucifixion  of  Jesus ; — to  what  cause 
does  he  attribute  it  ?  What  means  had  the  Jews  of  know¬ 
ing  the  character  of  the  Messiah  ?  Men  may  be  familiar 
with  the  letter  of  the  Bible,  and  yet  be  ignorant  of  its  true 
meaning.  How  is  it  that  true  Christians’ know  the  meaning 
of  the  Scripture  ?  John  vi.  45.  Why  were  the  Jews  blam- 
able  for  their  ignorance  ? 

28.  They  pretended  to  bring  J esus  to  trial  as  a  male¬ 
factor; — what  was  the  result?  What  did  Pilate,  the 
Roman  governor,  declare  on  this  point?  How  did  they 
alarm  Pilate  so  as  to  induce  him  to  comply  with  their 
request  ? 

29.  After  having  unconsciously  fulfilled  the  prophecies 
by  the  crucifixion  of  Jesus,  what  did  they  do  with  him? 
Who  officiated  as  friends  at  his  burial  ? 

5 


08 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIII. 


30.  The  government  sealed  the  tomb,  and  set  a  vratcli ; 
but  all  in  vain ; — why  ? 

31.  After  the  resurrection,  how  many  days  was  Jesus 
seen  ?  By  whom  ?  On  that  account  what  were  all  these 
qualified  to  be  ? 

32.  By  what  name  does  Paul  designate  the  gospel  ?  It 
was  no  new  theme.  How  far  back  in  history  does  he  date 
its  origin  ? 

33.  What  prophecy  was  thus  fulfilled  ?  The  prophecy 
here  quoted  is  used  in  a  declarative  sense,  that  is,  “  This 
day  I  declare  that  I  have  begotten  thee.”  How  does  Paul 
express  this  idea  more  fully  ?  Rom.  i.  4. 

34.  What  other  promise  did  the  resurrection  of  Jesus 
fulfill  ?  This  is  quoted  from  Isa.  lv.  3. 

35.  Still  another  promise  was  fulfilled  by  the  resurrec¬ 
tion  ; — what  was  that  ?  This  may  be  found  in  Ps.  xvi.  10. 
and  we  have  already  seen  that  Peter  quoted  it  in  one  of 
his  discourses.  Christ  raised  Lazarus  from  the  dead,  but 
he  returned  to  corruption; — in  what  respect,  then,  was 
the  resurrection  of  Jesus  distinguished  from  all  others  ? 

36.  Some  might  have  thought  that  the  promise  referred 
to  David  himself ; — how  does  Paul  guard  against  that 
objection  ?  Where  was  David’s  sepulcher  ?  Acts  ii.  29. 

37.  One  fact  showed  that  the  promise  was  fulfilled  in 
Jesus  what  was  that  ? 

38.  Paul  now  passes  from  history  to  doctrine.  What 
great  doctrine  does  he  now  declare  ?  This  is  the  chief 
doctrine  of  the  gospel. 

39.  What  great  blessing  comes  from  receiving  this  gospel 
into  the  heart  ?  In  what  respect  is  it  superior  to  the 
Jewish  economy  ?  There  were  some  sins,  such  as  murder 
and  idolatry,  for  which  the  Mosaic  code  provided  no  atone¬ 
ment  or  pardon.  Can  this  be  said  of  the  gospel  ?  Will 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIII. 


99 


the  gospel  save  us  if  we  have  no  faith  in  it  ?  Observe, 
this  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  is  the  chief  theme  of 
Paul’s  epistles.  The  doctrine  is  this :  Having  broken 
God’s  law  we  can  not  justify  ourselves  before  him  ;  but 
if  we  penitently  confess  our  sinfulness ,  and  trust  in  the 
mediation  of  Christ  ( instead  of  trusting  to  our  own 
merits),  then,  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  God  will  accept  us, 
and  grant  us  his  favor  as  freely  as  if  we  had  never 
sinned. 

40.  In  closing  his  discourse,  what  caution  did  the  apos¬ 
tle  utter  ? 

41.  Whose  words  did  he  apply  to  the  case  before  him? 
Hab.  i.  5. 

42.  This  sermon  took  the  Jews  by  surprise.  When 
Paul  rose  to  speak  they  thought  of  him  only  as  a  J ew. 
The  new  doctrine  amazed  them.  They  appear  to  have 
left  the  synagogue  in  silence.  What  was  done  by  the 
Gentile  part  of  the  audience  ? 

43.  All  did  not  go  at  once  to  their  homes ; — who  fol¬ 
lowed  Paul  and  Barnabas  ?  To  what  were  they  exhorted? 

44.  On  the  following  Saturday,  what  kind  of  an  assem¬ 
bly  did  these  missionaries  have  ?  What  motive  brought 
the  people  together  ? 

45.  The  great  influence  of  the  Christian  missionaries 
excited  the  envy  and  anger  of  some ; — who  were  they  ? 
How  did  they  express  their  feelings  ? 

46.  The  missionaries  were  not  frightened  by  these 
things  ; — how  did  they  meet  the  emergency  ?  These  J ews 
acted  as  if  they  had  no  souls  to  care  for.  What  did  the 
missionaries  say  of  their  conduct  ?  The  Jews  might  reject 
the  gospel,  but  they  could  not  stop  its  progress.  What 
did  the  apostles  say  of  their  hopes  of  success  ? 

47.  The  Jews  had  no  idea  of  a  system  of  religion  fitted 


100 


ACTS,  CHAPTCIt  XIV. 


to  be  universal ; — what  prophecy  did  Paul  quote  respect¬ 
ing  this?  Isa.  xlix.  6.  Nothing  excited  their  anger  more 
than  to  be  told  that  the  heathen  should  be  brought,  under 
the  Messiah,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  same  privileges  as 
they  themselves  possessed. 

48.  Some,  however,  hailed  this  truth  as  good  news ; — 
who  were  they  ?  The  apostles  were  not  inflated  with 
their  success,  as  if  their  power  or  eloquence  had  converted 
men.  To  whom  did  they  attribute  this  great  change  ? 

49.  What  was  the  success  of  the  gospel  in  that  part  of 
Asia  ? 

50.  What  were  the  Jews  impelled  to  do  ?  What  was  the 
result  of  their  measures  ? 

51.  The  apostles  felt  that  they  had  done  their  duty,  and 
that  if  these  people  perished,  none  but  themselves  were 
responsible.  By  what  act  did  they  express  this  ?  What 
precept  did  the  apostles  obey  in  doing  this  ?  Matt.  x.  14. 
They  then  traveled  southeastward  to  the  capital  of  Lyca- 
onia ; — what  was  its  name  ?  That  place  is  now  called 
Konieh. 

52.  The  Christians  were  soon  met  by  storms  of  persecu¬ 
tion.  In  what  state  of  mind  were  they  ?  What  words  of 
Christ  were  thus  fulfilled  ?  Matt.  v.  10-12. 


CHAPTER  X  I Y. 

Lesson  1-2& 

Paul  and  Barnabas  expelled  from  Iconium. — A  Miracle  of  Healing  at 
Lystra. — They  are  worshiped  as  Gods. — Again  they  are  perse¬ 
cuted. — They  revisit  the  Churches. — They  return  to  Antioch,  in 
Syria,  and  present  to  the  Church  a  Report  of  their  Missionary 
Tour. 

1.  Iconium  was  an  important  place  ; — do  you  remember 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIV. 


101 


where  it  was  situated  ?  What  place  did  Paul  and  Barna¬ 
bas  first  seek  in  Iconium  ?  What  was  the  effect  of  their 
preaching  ? 

2.  In  most  congregations  there  are  two  classes,  believers 
and  unbelievers.  In  this  synagogue,  what  did  the  unbe¬ 
lieving  Jews  set  themselves  to  do  ? 

3.  In  order  to  remove  these  prejudices,  what  did  these 
missionaries  do  ?  How  did  God  sanction  their  work  ? 

4.  Two  parties  were  formed  among  the  people ; — how 
are  they  described  ? 

5.  Jews  and  heathen  united  against  Christ’s  ministers  ; — 
what  did  this  combination  propose  to  do  ?  Stoning  to 
death  was  the  penalty  for  blasphemy.  The  Jews  called 
the  Christian  doctrine  blasphemy.  What  was  the  charge 
against  Stephen  in  relation  to  this  point  ?  Acts  vi.  13. 

0.  Being  informed  of  the  plot,  what  did  the  missionaries 
do  ?  What  command  did  they  thus  fulfill  ? 

7.  At  Lystra  and  Derbe  how  were  the  apostles  en- 
gaged  ? 

8.  At  Lystra  an  object  of  pity  attracted  their  attention; 
how  is  he  described  ?  The  word  cripple  comes  from  the 
old  spelling  of  the  word  creeple ,  meaning  one  who  can 
only  creep ,  not  walk  erect. 

9.  This  man  was  a  hearer  of  Paul.  What  did  the  apos¬ 
tle  perceive  in  him  ?  The  phrase  here  used  means  “  faith 
to  be  saved.”  Cod,  •who  had  deprived  the  poor  man  of 
the  use  of  his  feet,  gave  him  a  heart  to  believe.  On  Ely- 
mas  Paul  had  wrought  a  miracle  of  judgment  against  the 
will  of  the  sorcerer ;  now  he  would  work  a  miracle  of 
mercy  which  the  cripple  much  desired. 

10.  What  command  did  Paul  pronounce  ?  The  heathen 
sorcerers  muttered  their  charmed  words  in  low  tones ; — 
how  did  Paul  speak?  Thus  he  openly  pledged  God’s 


102 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIV. 


power; — what  did  this  show?  What  was  the  immediate 
effect  ? 

11.  When  the  people  saw  the  work  what  did  they  ex¬ 
claim  ?  It  was  a  sort  of  Assyrian  Greek  that  they  spoke. 
The  shout  was  somewhat  like  that  which  the  Cesareans 
raised  in  honor  of  Herod ; — in  what  respect  ? 

12.  They  not  only  called  the  missionaries  “gods,”  but 
gave  them  names  derived  from  the  Greek  mythology; — 
what  were  they  ?  Mercury  was  their  god  of  eloquence  ; — 
why  did  they  apply  that  name  to  Paul  ?  Jupiter  was 
their  4  4  lord  of  all  the  gods Mercury  was  his  son  and 
messenger.  Paul  was  probably  young  enough  to  be 
deemed  the  son  of  Barnabas.  The  statues  of  Jupiter 
represented  him  as  a  venerable  and  full-bearded  man, 
and  the  appearance  of  Barnabas  may  have  suggested  the 
likeness. 

13.  At  Lystra  there  was  a  temple  in  honor  of  Jupiter  ; 
— what  was  the  priest  of  it  about  to  do  ? 

14.  How  did  the  missionaries  express  their  abhorrence 
of  this  proposal  ? 

15.  They  appealed  to  the  reason  of  the  people ; — with 
what  question  ?  They  asserted  that  they  were  of  the  same 
mortal  nature  as  others ; — how  did  they  express  this  ? 
The  word  44  passions”  here  denotes  a  liability  to  sufferings 
and  death;  it  is  derived  from  a  word  which  means  to 
suffer,  and  has  no  reference  to  those  mental  states  such 
as  anger,  joy ,  etc.,  which  we  often  express  by  the  word 
passions.  What  did  they  call  the  heathen  gods  ?  What 
did  they  say  was  the  object  of  their  mission  ? 

16.  For  many  ages  God  had  sent  no  special  revelation 
to  the  heathen  world  ; — how  did  Paul  express  this  ? 

17.  And  yet  he  gave  them  some  light  and  knowledge ; — 
from  what  sources  ?  What,  then,  is  the  voice  of  nature  to 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIV. 


103 


the  ear  of  reason  respecting  God  ?  Probably  these  people 
had  never  before  heard  a  clear  testimony  respecting  the 
one  God  as  the  creator  and  benefactor  of  all.  Like  them, 
our  own  ancestors  in  Europe  once  worshiped  idols; — 
what  has  caused  us  to  differ  from  them  ? 

18.  The  people  were  “  mad  upon  their  idols,”  and  loth 
to  give  up  the  notion  that  the  gods  had  made  them  a  visit; 
— what  proof  is  there  of  this  ?  W e  see  the  fidelity  of  these 
missionaries.  A  merely  human  policy  might  have  suggested 
to  them  the  purpose  of  letting  the  people  have  their  way 
for  the  sake  of  gaining  influence.  With  this  view  it  was 
that  Captain  Cook  allowed  himself  to  be  taken  for  Oro,  the 
god  of  war,  by  the  Sandwich  Islanders,  and  worshiped 
with  idolatrous  ceremonies. 

19.  The  scene  is  soon  changed.  The  missionaries  are 
followed  by  their  former  persecutors  ; — from  what  places  ? 
What  did  these  new  comers  persuade  the  people  to  do  ? 
To  what  extent  did  they  carry  their  rage  ?  The  apostles 
had  prepared  the  way  for  this  by  saying,  ‘ 4  We  are  no 
gods.”  Worldly  wisdom  would  have  said,  “  How  much 
better  to  have  passed  off  as  gods  than  to  have  suffered 
such  a  fate.”  How  did  Paul  view  this  matter  ?  Rom.  v.  3. 
In  what  letter  does  Paul  refer  to  this  event  ?  2  Cor.  xi.  25. 

20.  What  a  scene  was  this !  An  apostle  prostrate  on  the 
ground,  and  a  group  of  brethren  around  him  bewailing 
him  as  one  dead.  But  again  they  were  astonished ; — what 
did  they  behold  ?  What  bold  step  did  the  apostle  then 
take  ?  His  return  must  have  awed  the  multitude.  Whither 
did  he  and  Barnabas  go  on  the  morrow  ?  This  proved  his 
recovery  and  his  zeal. 

21.  How  were  they  engaged  in  this  new  field  ?  How 
were  they  rewarded  ?  Observe,  the  phrase  translated 
u  taught  many,”  means  literally,  “  made  many  disciples.” 


104 


ACTS,  CHAPTER  XIV. 


What  bold  measure  did  the  missionaries  next  carry  into 
effect  ? 

22.  What  was  the  effect  of  their  interviews  with  the  new 
converts  at  these  places  ?  How  did  they  exhort  them  to 
perseverance  ?  How  did  they  guard  them  against  despond¬ 
ency  in  time  of  trouble  ?  Although  Christianity  was  the 
religion  of  miracles ,  it  was  at  the  same  time  the  religion 
of  the  cross. 

23.  The  apostles  organized  and  established  churches. 
What  officers  were  appointed  ?  These  officers  were  prob¬ 
ably  appointed  like  those  already  mentioned  in  Acts  vi.  8. 
In  what  manner  was  that  ?  How  did  the  apostles  commend 
the  officers  to  God  ?  These  officers  were  appointed  by  the 
Lord  ; — for  what  purpose  ?  Eph.  iv.  11,  12. 

24.  Having  performed  this  work,  the  apostles  turned 
toward  the  sea-coast ; — whither  did  they  go  ? 

25.  Where  did  they  next  preach?  What  sea-port  did 
they  seek  ? 

26.  Whither  did  they  return  ?  There  they  had  been  set 
apart  for  their  mission  to  the  heathen ; — in  what  way  ? 

27.  The  missionaries  made  their  report  to  those  who 
had  sent  them  out; — what  body  was  that?  We  do  not 
read  that  they  said  much  about  their  persecutions  and 
sufferings  ; — on  what  subject  did  they  chiefly  dwell  ? 

28.  Where  did  they  remain  for  a  time  ?  We  know  not 
how  long  ?  As  the  event  mentioned  in  the  following  chap¬ 
ter  occurred  more  than  five  years  afterward,  probably  the 
whole  interval  was  passed  in  Syria  and  its  capital.  Paul 
preached  the  gospel  in  Illyria  (Rom.  xv.  19),  perhaps, 
during  this  period.  He  suffered  many  things  of  which  we 
have  no  particular  account.  2  Cor.  xi.  23-27.  We  see  that 
the  church  of  Antioch  was  a  truly  missionary  church  ; — 
why  ?  The  work  there  begun  is  still  unfinished  ; — what  is 
our  duty  in  relation  to  it  ? 


jl;  ~  V  • 


I 


